Laws and Innovations

In the first week of the course, you looked at the high number of inmates in the United States. For this assignment, imagine you are a staff member working for a US senator. The senator saw your presentation and has asked you for a report explaining how this situation came about.

In a 4- to 5-page Microsoft Word document cover these points:

• Describe the legislative changes that affected the lengths of sentences being handed down. You should include:
  • Minimum mandatory sentences
  • Truth-in-Sentencing laws
  • Three Strikes laws
  • Sentencing guidelines
  • Sentencing enhancements
• How have these legislative changes affected the prison population in the United States?
• Are the truth-in-sentencing laws and three-strike laws good innovations? Are there any drawbacks to these laws? Specifically, consider the impact of these laws on the safety of police and correctional officers.

Support your responses with examples.

Cite any sources in APA format.