English Comp Assignment 4.6

MCMILLEN, M. (2012). I NEED TO FEEL YOUR TOUCH: ALLOWING NEWBORNS AND INFANTS CONTACT VISITATION WITH JAILED PARENTS. University Of Illinois Law Review, 2012(5), 1811-1853. It seems this source is arguing that lack of contact visitation for young children, infants, and parents, can lead to developmental, emotional issues, and increased risk to be incarcerated as adults for the children. It also argues that lack of contact can increase risks of recidivism for the incarcerated parent. This source is using this evidence to support that argument, other articles that are written on the topic, case law, and other studies done. I believe this source has done a good job supporting its arguments because each point that was made was supported by evidence and the article also presents why jails do not have more contact visitation. My problem is jails stoping contact visitation is harmful to an inmates mental health. This is my intended argument: That decreased contact with children is harmful to both child and parent. I think this source will be very helpful in supporting my argument because it shows how lack of contact causes mental health issues for the child. I think this source will support my other sources because it shows the reasons why it is so harmful. Duwe, G., & Clark, V. (2013). Blessed Be the Social Tie That Binds: The Effects of Prison Visitation on Offender Recidivism [article]. Criminal Justice Policy Review, (3), 271. It seems this source is arguing the link between visitation and recidivism rates. This source is using this evidence to support that argument: a study they completed from 2003-2007 following over 16,000 incarcerated people in Minnesota Department of Corrections. They also used statics and results from other studies that have been done. I believe the source did a good job supporting its argument. They used multiple standards to measure results, including frequency of visits and who the visitors were to the inmate. They also followed inmate for 5 years post-release. My problem is that lack of visitation increases recidivism rates. My argument is that visitation with loved ones decreases an inmate's likelihood that he/she will re-offend upon release. I think this source will support my article because it focuses on different measures and how it affected the inmates on release. I think this source will support my other sources because it shows the different effects of family visitation on an inmates success. De Claire, K., & Dixon, L. (2017). The Effects of Prison Visits From Family Members on Prisoners’ Well-Being, Prison Rule Breaking, and Recidivism. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 18(2), 185-199. doi:10.1177/1524838015603209 This source is arguing that visitation has a positive impact on inmates. This source is using studies and research from 1991 to current. I believe this source did a good job supporting its argument because it used a variety of sources and studies that all showed consistent results. My intended argument is the same as my problem, lack of visitation increases risk of recidivism rates. The argument I will be addressing in my essay is that frequent contact visitation is beneficial to an inmate and their loved one's well-being. It decreases recidivism rates. My major is Criminal Justice with a focus on corrections. The field of work I'd like to pursue is inmate advocacy. This argument is central to that work. A person contact with their family is critical to their success inside and outside of prison. Reduced recidivism rates also increase public safety. My first key point is that contact visitation is critical for children of incarcerated parents. This point supports my main argument because lack of contact with parents has shown increased mental health issues. My second key point is that visitation decreases recidivism rates. Reduced recidivism also means an increase in community safety. My third key point lack of contact from loved ones can cause depression and other mental health issues. My audience will be the general public. I think my biggest challenge will be changing peoples preconceived judgments towards inmates. Many people have a belief in the old saying "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." There is also a belief that visitation is a privilege and not a human right. My goal with this essay to show why visits should be considered a right instead of a privilege. I would also like to show how this issues affects more than the inmate and affects the children, spouses and also the community. I think this essay will need to be supported by studies and research on the issue. I also think this essay will have to have an emotional element in order to change deeply embedded beliefs about the topic. The Effects of Prison Visits From Family Members on Prisoners’ Well-Being, Prison Rule Breaking, and Recidivism is an article that examines visitation on inmates mental health. It also looks at visitation and recidivism. This source supports two of my key points. My second source is Blessed Be the Social Tie That Binds: The Effects of Prison Visitation on Offender Recidivism. This article focuses solely on how maintaining contact and strengthing family bonds decreases recidivism. My third source is I Need to Feel Your Touch: Allowing Newborns and Infants Contact Visitation with Jailed Parents. This article goes into the emotional, mental and developmental effect on a child who is limited contact with their incarcerated parent. I think receiving feedback from an outside party can improve my writing because it can point strengths and weaknesses I may not notice. It can also improve my writing because it provides a different perspective about what I have written. That feedback can be used to strength parts of my paper. A different perspective can also give me different ideas to add or revise elements to better appeal to my audience.