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Punishment And The History Of Prison Reform Summary

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The text that has most interested me so far is "Philosophical Theories of Punishment and the History of Prison Reform" by Christopher Sturr. In his text "Philosophical Theories of Punishment and the History of Prison Reform," Christopher Sturr examines the exploration of how the philosophical approaches can contribute to resolving the ongoing prison crisis. In this paper I aim to evaluate the argument by Sturr, focusing on the superiority of the critical social theory over moral theory in addressing the complexities of the prison system. I will do this by examining the role of philosophical perspectives in shaping reform efforts. While moral theories of punishment have been foundational in shaping common attitudes towards the justice system. …show more content…

(pg. 86. Unlike moral theories of punishment, critical social theory goes deeper into the underlying systemic issues that perpetuate mass incarceration. By seeing the power dynamics and historical injustices that are embedded within the criminal justice system, the social theory provides a better understanding of the root causes of the crisis. Moreover, the critical social theory advocates for actual transformative change. It emphasizes the need for real structural reforms that address issues like poverty, racism, and inequality. which are often linked to very high rates of incarceration. Critical social theory challenges ideologies and offers a better framework for creating a more equal and just society. To discuss the limitations of moral theories in addressing the complex issues of the prison system, it is important to note that moral theories of punishment have historically not been the best vehicle for addressing the prison crisis. Traditional moral justifications of punishment, like those presented in mainstream philosophy, often fall short in providing effective solutions to the challenges faced in the penal system. Moral theories may critique current penal institutions and practices, but they may not offer practical guidance for designing alternatives or for creating positive social change in the system. This limitation is evident in the history of …show more content…

Critical social theory emphasizes the importance of analyzing prisons within the broader context of social structures, power dynamics, and relationships in society. Unlike moral theories that may focus solely on justifications for punishment, critical social theory considers how systems of dominance and subordination contribute to the perpetuation of issues in the penal system. By integrating theory and practice and drawing on the experiences and needs of prisoners and communities affected by mass incarceration, critical social theory provides a more holistic and practical lens for reform

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Over the last thirty years, the prison population in the United States has increased more than seven-fold to over two million people, including vastly disproportionate numbers of minorities and people with little education. For some racial and educational groups, incarceration has become a depressingly regular experience, and prison culture and influence pervade their communities. Almost 60 percent of black male high school drop-outs in their early thirties have spent time in prison. In Punishment and Inequality in America, sociologist Bruce Western explores the recent era of mass incarceration and the serious social and economic consequences it has wrought.

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In the article “Even Prisoners Must Have Hope”, Richard Stratton (the author) talks about his thoughts on the federal prison system in America. Stratton himself had served 8 years in jail for smuggling marijuana. He strongly advises not to make the prisons even worse than they already are. The harsh conditions and other peoples’ vengeful attitudes toward criminals only make the violence and crime continue. According to Stratton, instead of improving the harsh conditions and trying to rehabilitate and help prisoners that could lead to peace, our society inflicts more pain and punishment, enforcing a violent cycle.

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In “Are Prisons Obsolete,” Angela Davis, an American activist who served 16 months in prison before being acquitted, argues that today's prison systems fail to address the root causes of crime. Despite their intended purpose, prisons lack the structure needed to rehabilitate inmates. We become so quick to assume that imprisoning criminals leads to a safer environment. As prisons continue to expand and their inmate population rises, they become embedded in society's norms without the consent of the people or critical examination of their effectiveness. Davis argues for reform, noting that the current system has serious flaws in addressing criminal behavior, as she believes crime will continue to persist and keep growing exponentially within

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This preconceived notion could not be farther from the truth. In reality, these reform movements are idiotically placing a bandaid over the tremendous issue that the prison system is. An imbalance of reforms between women and men, unrestrained sexual abuse in women’s prisons, and tyrannical gender roles are just three of countless examples of how prison reform movements only create more misfortune and fail to provide any real solution to worsening prison conditions. Perhaps instead of conjuring up additional ideas on how to reform prisons, America’s so-called democratic society should agree upon abolishing prisons as a whole. This being said, it is crucial to identify ongoing issues in today’s society, understand how they contribute to unlawful behavior, and seek a solution.

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Characterised by periods of innovation and experimentation, the American Penitentiary System revolutionised the use of criminal incarceration across the globe. While early forms of criminal punishment were developed by European penal codes, Enlightenment theorists, in opposition to retributory practices, challenged these codes. It was during this upheaval the American Penitentiary materialised, shaped by the humanistic principles at that time. Two specific penitentiary systems emerged during this period, the Separate and the Silent system. Both a reflection of the reformist conventions that amassed in retaliation to the harsh European penal codes, they differed in their approach to solitary confinement, which affected how the prisons they influenced

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This article describes mass incarceration as a trend. How the development of prisons are on the raise due to the trend. Increasing criminalization in communities and imposing cruel punishments for minor offenses. This article explores how cultural productions of poverty and exclusion intersect with prison development. How those in poverty are more likely to be targeted due to their race, ethnicity, and class.

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Criminal legislation and incarceration have long been used as a means to control "powerless" and disadvantaged groups in America. These groups are socially and politically neglected and only receive attention when they are perceived to be a threat to the larger society and then the attention comes in the form of control and punishment (Page, 1993). The control generally manifests itself through crime legislation and the punishment through incarceration. By the end of 2005, there were more than 7 million people under some form of criminal justice supervision (Glaze & Bonczar 2006; Harrison & Beck, 2006a). With such a large and growing number of people under correctional control during a time in which crime rates had either fallen or were stabilizing raises important questions about the purpose and consequences of this institutional intervention.

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