MJ601Survey of Criminal Justice
Lesson 5: Corrections in America
Discussion Question 2 (50 Points)
What are three (3) major problems found in today’s prisons? Briefly design and explain what you would believe to be a “model prison” for today’s correctional system. Provide a rationale for your choices using scholarly research. (50 points) (A 2-page response is required.)
Grading Rubric
Please refer to the rubric below for the grading criteria for this assignment.
CATEGORYExemplarySatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryUnacceptable
20 points 17 points 12 points 9 points
Student provides a clear,
logical summary of 3 major
problems found in today’s
prisons.
Student provides a mostly
clear, logical summary of
3 major problems found
in today’s prisons.
Student provides a partially
clear, logical summary of 3
major problems found in
today’s prisons.
Student provides a weak or
unclear summary of less
than 3 major problems
found in today’s prisons.
20 points 17 points 12 points 9 points
Student provides a clear,
logical description of a
“model prison” and
provides a scholarly
rationale for why that
prison would be the best.
Student provides a mostly
clear, logical description
of a “model prison” and
mostly provides a
scholarly rationale for
why that prison would be
the best.
Student provides a partially
clear, logical description of a
“model prison” and partially
provides a scholarly rationale
for why that prison would be
the best.
Student provides a weak or
unclear description of a
“model prison” and fails to
provide a scholarly
rationale for why that
prison would be the best.
5 points 4 points 2 points 1 point
Student makes no errors
in grammar or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
Student makes 1-2 errors
in grammar or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
Student makes 3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Student makes more than
4 errors in grammar or
spelling that distract the
reader from the content.
5 points 4 points 2 points 1 point
The paper is written in
proper format. All sources
used for quotes and facts
are credible and cited
correctly. Excellent
organization, including a
variety of thoughtful
transitions.
The paper is written in
proper format with only 1-
2 errors. All sources used
for quotes and facts are
credible and most are
cited correctly. Adequate
organization includes a
variety of appropriate
transitions.
The paper is written in
proper format with only 3-5
errors. Most sources used for
quotes and facts are credible
and cited correctly. Essay is
poorly organized, but may
include a few effective
transitions.
The paper is not written in
proper format. Many
sources used for quotes
and facts are less than
credible (suspect) and/or
are not cited correctly.
Essay is disorganized and
does not include effective
transitions.
Mechanics -Grammar,
Punctuation, Spelling
(5 Points)
Format - APA Format,
Citations, Organization,
Transitions (5 Points)
Major Problems
(20 Points)
Opinion (20 Points)