There are over two million inmates in our nation’s prison system and sentencing has always been a reflection of the current sentiments of society. Before the introduction of determinate sentencing in the early eighties, the States followed an indeterminate sentencing model. It was the pressure from society to have the “punishment fit the crime” that caused our justice system to make changes in their sentencing guidelines. With these changes came mandatory minimums, when most prisoners were serving only a portion of their sentences, and the introduction to the determinate model. We will compare these two models of sentencing and the effects it has on our justice system as a whole.
Indeterminate Sentencing
Indeterminate sentencing provided …show more content…
Another is the opportunity for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that a parole board should have the power to determine the offender’s fate. They fear it can lead to discrimination by the parole board.
A perfect example of indeterminate sentencing and the change that can occur is the case of a man convicted of sexual assault on his maid had his sentence reduced from 28 years to life, to 8 years to life in an Arapahoe County, Colorado. He was accused and sentenced for keeping his maid as a sex slave. His sentence was reduced due to the man’s good behaviors while in prison and the implications if the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling in an unrelated case to the offenders (Carroll, …show more content…
The length of time is already predetermined and the judge cannot make any changes. The offender has no opportunity for parole and will not be released until the entire time is served. This model is often seen as the “tough on crime” model and is intended to prevent offenders from committing these crimes. It’s also intended to provide fairness in the fact that everyone that commits the same crime will receive the same length of sentencing (Portman, 2016). Unfortunately, it does not take into consideration the option for rehabilitation and the risk to society once released. This is why you have many offenders repeat their crimes once released.
Both models of sentencing have their pros and their cons. However, the justice system has many other issues that influence the reforms being made to improve the prison systems in our nation. Over population is one of these issues. Congress has approved grants in many states to provide funding for the building of new prisons and the expansion of older ones. Some states have abolished the early release option by parole boards due discrimination. It is by far a perfect system and needs a lot of improvements, but for now it’s the one we
Indeterminate Sentencing
Indeterminate sentencing provided …show more content…
Another is the opportunity for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that a parole board should have the power to determine the offender’s fate. They fear it can lead to discrimination by the parole board.
A perfect example of indeterminate sentencing and the change that can occur is the case of a man convicted of sexual assault on his maid had his sentence reduced from 28 years to life, to 8 years to life in an Arapahoe County, Colorado. He was accused and sentenced for keeping his maid as a sex slave. His sentence was reduced due to the man’s good behaviors while in prison and the implications if the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling in an unrelated case to the offenders (Carroll, …show more content…
The length of time is already predetermined and the judge cannot make any changes. The offender has no opportunity for parole and will not be released until the entire time is served. This model is often seen as the “tough on crime” model and is intended to prevent offenders from committing these crimes. It’s also intended to provide fairness in the fact that everyone that commits the same crime will receive the same length of sentencing (Portman, 2016). Unfortunately, it does not take into consideration the option for rehabilitation and the risk to society once released. This is why you have many offenders repeat their crimes once released.
Both models of sentencing have their pros and their cons. However, the justice system has many other issues that influence the reforms being made to improve the prison systems in our nation. Over population is one of these issues. Congress has approved grants in many states to provide funding for the building of new prisons and the expansion of older ones. Some states have abolished the early release option by parole boards due discrimination. It is by far a perfect system and needs a lot of improvements, but for now it’s the one we