Research Paper on Criminal Justice

Research Paper Prison Reform: Past, Present, and Understanding

I. Understanding the past, present, future implications of prison reform for the different community.

II. Mass Incarceration

a. Legislation

i. Political Party Agendas

1. What is the Democratic vs. the Republican view on Prison Reform

2. Does Our Vote Matter

ii. Passing Bills

1. What is the Process for passing Bills?

2. Enforcing Policy Change

b. Sentencing Reform

i. Mandatory Minimum Reform

1. “Smart Crime”

2. Renewing the Drug War

ii. Community Expectations

1. Where did that Vote go?

2. Seeing is believing

c. Mass Incarceration

i. Is For Profit For the People?

1. Incredible amount of for profit facilities in Virginia alone

2. Where does the money go?

ii. Cost Components

1. Statistics

2. Who pays essentially?

III. Rehabilitation Programs

a. Education Programs

i. Benefits

1. Personal Benefits

2. Societal Benefits

ii. Pilot Programs

1. Seconds Chance Pilot

2. Who Qualifies

b. Employment Rehabilitation

i. Benefits

1. Personal Benefits

2. Societal Benefits

ii. Programs

1. Prison Work Program

2. Becoming a Working Inmate

c. Wellness and Counseling Rehabilitation

i. Benefits

1. Personal Benefits

2. Societal Benefits

ii. Programs

1. Counseling

2. Yoga & Tai Chi

IV. Re-Entry

a. What is Re-Entry

i. Reintegrating initially

1. Release

2. Services

ii. Community Resources

1. Mentoring

2. Addressing mental health issues

b. Programs

i. Housing

1. Programs

2. Services

ii. Jobs and Skills

1. Programs

2. Services

c. Repeat Offenders

i. Addictions

1. Developing Habits to Cope

2. Seeking help

ii. Lack of support

1. Family

2. Community

V. Conclusion

VI. References