America's Prisons
America's Prisons | Parole and Probation Have Not Succeeded as Alternatives
In the following viewpoint, Joseph M. Bessette argues that parole and probation have not succeeded as alternatives to imprisonment. He claims that courts and parole boards are too lenient toward offenders, allowing even those who commit violent crimes such as rape and murder to serve fractions of their sentences. Such “lax criminal codes” have frequently allowed violent repeat offenders to be released into society. If parole boards and the criminal justice system continue to be too lenient, Bessette insists, these alternatives to imprisonment should be restricted or abolished....
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- Introduction
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Chapter 1: Are Prisons Effective?
- Chapter 1 Preface
- The Prison System Works
- The Prison System Does Not Work
- More Imprisonment Is Needed
- More Imprisonment Is Not Needed
- Imprisonment Reduces Crime
- Imprisonment Does Not Reduce Crime
- Privatization Would Benefit the Prison System
- Privatization Would Not Benefit the Prison System
- Chapter 1: Periodical Bibliography
- Chapter 2: How Should Prisons Treat Inmates?
- Chapter 3: Should Prisons Use Inmate Labor?
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Chapter 4: What Are the Alternatives to Prisons?
- Chapter 4 Preface
- Parole Can Succeed as an Alternative
- Parole and Probation Have Not Succeeded as Alternatives
- Drug Treatment Can Succeed as an Alternative
- Drug Offenders Should Be Imprisoned
- Creative Sentencing Can Provide Effective Alternatives
- Creative Sentencing May Not Provide Effective Alternatives
- Shame-Based Punishment Can Be an Effective Alternative
- Shame-Based Punishment May Not Be an Effective Alternative
- Chapter 4 Periodical Bibliography
- For Further Discussion
- Organizations to Contact
- Bibliography
- Copyright
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