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Get Tough On Crime Essay

1645 Words7 Pages

This Abstract explores the process of offender processing in the criminal justice system, evaluates the effectiveness of “Get Tough on Crime” initiatives in the United States of America, and discusses the rehabilitation potential of the corrections system. It also analyzes the impact of mandatory minimum sentences on crime reduction, and proposes approaches to abolish such sentences, considering the implications of restorative justice for thieves. It defines and distinguishes between deterrence types, questions the possibility of Three-Strikes Laws, and presents the strengths of indeterminate sentencing. This abstract emphasizes and addresses key aspects of the criminal justice perspective.

Keywords: Journey of an Offender, Get Tough on …show more content…

The sophisticated process of how offenders are processed through each stage of the criminal justice system reveals a complex network of policies, steps, and perspectives that aim to maintain social harmony and reduce crime rates. In this narrative essay, I will delve into the journey of an inmate through the system, evaluate the effectiveness of “Get Tough on Crime” measures, analyze the role of the corrections system in rehabilitation, and discuss mandatory minimum sentences. It also explores and questions the concept of punishment for theft, defines deterrence and discusses its types, considers the Three-Strikes Laws, and examines the advantages of moving from fixed to flexible …show more content…

This would involve a thorough overhaul in order to be successful. However, their impact on reducing crime is a matter of opinion. Critics argue that mandatory minimums remove judicial discretion, leading to disproportionately harsh sentences for non-violent violations. According to Wolf (2022), in certain instances, the position of a mandatory minimum sentence can restrict the magistrate’s ability to exercise diligence. A different strategy combines punishment with the principles of a process where the focus is on repairing the harm caused by a crime. As Schmalleger and Smykia (2020) noted, restorative justice is a structured approach to addressing lawbreaking, focusing on the process of healing the harm inflicted upon victims, criminals, and neighborhoods as a result of, or exposed by criminal actions. This addresses the needs of both the victim and the offender and might better effectively address the root causes behind criminal conduct. I believe that mandatory minimum sentencing might deter some individuals from committing crimes, but it does not lead to a significant reduction in the overall crime

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