UNIT EIGHT: Criminology Text Questions

Please complete the following questions. It is important that you use full
sentences and present the questions and answers when you submit your work.
Submit the work as a file attachment. This means you complete all work in a
word processing document (e.g., Microsoft Word) and attach the file using the
dropbox tool. Use the Unit 8: Text Questions dropbox basket.

The answers to the Review & Critical Thinking questions are worth 10 points.

Review Questions
1. What are detention and correctional facilities? How are they different?

Detention facilities are where there is imprisonment of a suspect or someone

guilty of a crime and they are sent there to pay for their time. Correctional
facilities are where people are sent to correct their behavior of what they did.

2. What is parole? Who makes the decisions about parole?

The parole is when someone is released under certain conditions after they
served their time. The parole board makes the decision about parole.

3. Describe a typical inmate in a prison in the United States.

The typical inmate is a male, and most often is from a minority group, a drug
addict, from a poor or abusive background, and mentally ill.

4. What are the benefits of the probation system?

There are many benefits in this system but the main one is that individuals are
given a second chance to prove themselves and show that they can obey the law
as a citizen.

5. What is restitution?

The compensation that the offender gives to the victim. This is most often money.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Some scholars have argued that the parole system should be abolished.
Do you agree or disagree with this? Why?

I disagree because some things are very minor and people can change, so I
think that they should be allowed to have a second chance and prove themselves
if they show signs that they are ready.
 2. Some prisons are now being run on a “for-profit” basis. Do you think that
this is a good or bad idea? Why?

I think that would be a good idea because then they will have more money to
spend on what is helpful to the prisoners instead of what the government
provides them for. They could have things such as rehab programs that will
benefit them in the long run.

3. Do you think that any of the current punishments deter or reduce crime?
Why or why not? Which punishment do you think is most likely to reduce
crime in society?

Yes I do think that current punishments reduce or deter time because for
example going to jail is a serious thing and people know how bad it can be so it
the thought of the consequences could stop people from committing crime. I think
that jail time is the punishment most likely to reduce crime because it teaches the
greatest lesson.

4. Which alternative sanction do you think is best? Why?

I believe the best alternative sanction is probation because all though still being
restricted, the offender is still able to have another chance and prove themselves
better.

5. If you had to reform the system of punishments and corrections, what

would you do? Why?

If I were to reform the system of punishments and corrections I would add more
rehab opportunities so that offenders are able to better themselves while in
prison. I feel that this would prevent them from committing crimes in the future.

Discussion Questions
Please post questions and answers on the UNIT EIGHT discussion boards.
Unless otherwise instructed, you should submit at least one full paragraph for
each question. Each discussion assignment is worth 5 points.