Essay On Determinate Sentencing

Throughout this year we have utilized our own personal experiences, theories from the reading, and a multitude of theories and facts. Each of these aids us in the pursuit of understanding our justice system and how it treats or cares for the offenders that attempt to break it. The state of Texas, known for its odd and harsh punishments for offenders of all ages, uses a unique and complex sentencing structure reserved for its most violent and serious juvenile offenders. Determinate Sentencing is legally defined as a jail or prison sentence that is definite and not subject to review by a parole board or other agency. Created in the 1980’s by Texas legislators, determinate sentencing is a sentencing structure that gives even the most serious and violent juvenile offenders a second chance at rehabilitation. For too long juveniles have seemed to be just following a path that leads to adult prison without any …show more content…
Most of these violent offenders have their cases closed and are the clear and definite perpetrators of the crime, but there is always the chance that a select individual is innocent of his or her crime. This determinate sentencing gives them an outlet away from adult prison. According to the text and Chad R Trulson, the program in which the youth are indoctrinated into creates real change. He writes from an eyewitness account of serious offenders making real change despite the crimes they had committed. This type of determinate sentencing is also unanimously viewed as fair and just, this eliminates any form of bias within the system. Good behavior will not give you parole, and the offender does not have to spend more or less time then they deserve. Determinate Sentencing is also seen as an excellent deterrent to lesser criminals, the knowledge that a certain crime will indefinitely give you a certain amount of time behind bars sways man from