Prison Sentences

Purpose

To assess your ability to:

• Discuss the basic goals and philosophy of sentencing.
• Compare and contrast indeterminate and mandatory sentencing.

Overview

In this assignment, you are required to discuss three things that contribute to excessive length of prison sentences and how you would correct the problem. In addition, you are required to address at least three factors that may contribute to racial disparities in sentencing and how the problem could be corrected.

You are to create a posting to the discussion, “Prison Sentences Discussion“, and then respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings. To have ample time to read your classmates’ postings and respond to them, your initial post must be completed by Wednesday while your follow-up to your classmate’s posting must be completed by Sunday.

To successfully complete the assignment, you are expected to read and study key points and all assigned readings for this module. It is also highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the grading criteria provided. The grading criteria contain information on how your assignment will be graded by your professor. Ensure you cover all relevant information expected of you in the assignment.

Action Items

1. Complete all required readings prior to working on this assignment.
2. In 2-3 paragraphs, address the following:

• Discuss three factors that may contribute to prison sentences of excessive length and explain how you would correct the problem.
• Discuss at least three factors that may contribute to racial disparities in sentencing and explain how you would correct the problem.