Mandatory Sentencing For Minor Drug Offences - 957 Words

Since 1971, the United States has been on a war against drugs. Yet four decades and one trillion dollars later, we are still fighting this war (Branson). All that we have to show for this war is drugs running rampant and tons of citizens incarcerated. Mandatory sentencing for minor drug offences should be overturned due to overflowing prisons, damaging families, and the scare tactic it was created to be has failed. Due to mandatory sentencing for minor drug offences, the American prison system is overflowing with inmates. According to E. Ann Carson, a Statistician for the Bureau of Justice Statistics, â€Å"Fifty percent (95,800) of sentenced inmates in federal prison on September 30, 2014 (the most recent date for which federal offense data are available) were serving time for drug offenses. In comparison to the 53% in state prisons, violent offenders represented 7% of the federal prison population (14,000 prisoners)† (Carson 17). Half of the United States’ prison pop ulation in both state and federal is incarcerated for drug related crimes. This is huge compared to the seven percent of the population in federal prisons for violent crimes. The United States Federal Registrar says â€Å"The average annual cost to confine an inmate in a Community Corrections Center for Fiscal Year 2011 was $26,163† (Prisons Bureau). This cost falls to the tax payers. It would cost taxpayers over two and a half billion dollars to house all the people guilty of minor drug offences in federal prisonShow MoreRelatedAgainst Mandatory Sentencing Debate970 Words   |  4 PagesA mandatory sentence is one where judicial discretion is limited by law; those convicted of certain crimes must be punished with at least a minimum number of years in prison. The most famous example of mandatory sentencing is the ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy adopted first in California in 1994, and now more widespread in the USA. Three strikes laws require life imprisonment for a third criminal conviction, but other forms of mandatory sentencing are now being discussed and implementedRead MoreThe Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentencing978 Words   |  4 Pagesmethod of sentencing criminals was the establishment of the mandatory minimum sentencing. During the early days of the republic, specific sentences were carried out for certain crime and early mandatory sentences the forms of punishment used at the time stretched from ducking stools/cucking stools for disorderly women and dishonest tradesmen in England, Soctland to hanging for convicted murderers. However, in recent years, evidence gathered have shown that the federal mandatory minimum sentencing wereRead MoreDo Queensland s Sentencing Laws Focus Too Heavily On Punishment948 Words   |  4 PagesQueensland’s sentencing laws focus too heavily on punishment, rather than rehabilitation, of drug offenders? Queensland’s current drug sentencing laws primarily focus on punishment more than rehabilitation. Courts in Queensland have penalties that can be enforced on an offender such as Community Service Order, Fines Restitution, Probation, Intensive Correction Order, Imprisonment and Parole for the use of illegal drugs. The penalties vary according to the type and amount of drug use involved. Drug traffickingRead MoreDiscuss Factors That Affect Sentencing Decisions, Including the Purposes of Punishment and the Role of Victims.783 Words   |  4 Pagessentence must coincide with the statutory guidelines e.g that set out in the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), and the judicial guidelines that set precedent for all judges and magistrates in the state. Within this legislation are the purposes for which a sentence may be imposed, types of penalties, minimum/maximum sentences and mandatory sentences. The purposes of sentencing are set out in the Crimes (Sentencing Procedures) Act 1999 (NSW) and fundamentally include deterrence, retributionRead MoreThe War On Drugs And The United States1506 Words   |  7 Pages When, in 1971, Richard Nixon infamously declared a â€Å"war on drugs† it would have been nearly impossible for him to predict the collective sense of disapprobation which would come to accompany the now ubiquitous term. It would have been difficult for him to predict that the drug war would become a hot topic, a highly contentious and polarizing point of debate and, it would have difficult for him to predict that the United States would eventually become the prison capital of the world, incarceratingRead MoreMandatory Sentencing Laws For Repeat Offenders897 Words   |  4 PagesIn the 1990s, states began to execute mandatory sentencing laws for repeat offenders. This statute became known as â€Å"three strike laws†. The three strikes law increases prison sentence for people convicted of a felony. If you have two or more violent crimes or serious felonies, it limits the ability that offenders have to receive a punishment other than life sentencing. By 2003 over half of the states and federal government had enacted the â€Å"three strike laws†. The expectation behind it was to getRead MorePrison Blues : How America s Foolish Sentencing Policies Endanger Public Safety1033 Words   |  5 Pagesof minimum sentencing during an often cited speech. As stated in his book Prison blues: How America s Foolish Sentencing Policies Endanger Public Safety, David Kopek credits Rehnquist with stating: These mandatory minimum sentences are perhaps a good example of the law of unintended consequences. There is a respectable body of opinion which believes that these mandatory minimums impose unduly harsh punishment for first-time offenders -- particularly for mules who played only a minor role in aRead MoreMandatory Minimums Should Not Be Mandatory911 Words   |  4 PagesThose who oppose mandatory minimums argue that longer sentences cost too much, are ineffective in reducing drug related crimes, and do not allow for lenience in extenuating circumstances. The average cost of keeping a single prisoner incarcerated in federal prison for a year is approximately $30,619.85 (Prisons Bureau, and Department of Justice), multiply that number by the typical five years in prison mandatory minimum policy demands for minor drug crimes as well as multiplying it by the approximateRead MoreRacism And The American Criminal Justice System1584 Words   |  7 Pagesphenomenon rather than a flaw in the justice system. However, there is overwhelming evidence of a racial bias in the justice system. The infamous â€Å"War on Drugs† compounded the effects of this racial bias by instituting mandatory minimum sentences for minor drug offences. These sentences push what were formerly minor offences into the felony offence category. The legal system creates no less than three different patterns of inequality for convicted felons, of which a staggering number constitute racialRead MoreThe Caging Of America By Adam Gopnik911 Words   |  4 Pagesinapp ropriate sentencings to those with minor crimes. He demonstrates that inmates are getting treated poorly than helping them learn from their actions. Using facts and statistics, Gopnik makes his audience realize that there is an urgent need of change in the American prison system. The main idea of Gopnik’s article is that the prison system needs to improve its sentencing laws because prisons are getting over crowed. Gopnik’s argument is valid because there is a problem in the sentencing laws that

Leyster And Daumier Painted Everyday Life Events - 719 Words

Leyster and Daumier painted everyday life events, despite the different intentions. The time and styles of the artwork are not similar at all, other than the intention to capture everyday life events. Leyster s Self-Portrait focused primarily on herself, how she viewed herself, and how she desired others to view her. This type of painting was extremely rare, if not unheard of during a time when female artists were seen as inferior. The Baroque style of painting exhibits bold colors and dramatic lighting with loose brush strokes. Leyster painted herself looking straight, a slight smile, and comfortable posture; showing a sense of confidence and engagement she desires to capture as though she were looking at the viewer directly. Leyster also had a smooth finish to her painting making it look more like a photograph, than a painting. Daumier s work however, is related closely to the working class and the deep impact the time had on people, using warm colors. Daumier’s heavy pai nt application with harsh dark outlines related to his art as a caricaturist. Daumier worked to express the struggles that time had brought among the lower or working class by the truth relayed in his painting. The family in this photo is looking down, with expressed fatigue demonstrated by the women’s drooped shoulders and uncomfortableness in the crowded Third-Class Carriage. There is no direct engagement with the viewers but rather a sense of compassion is expressed. Daumier’s painting is left

Animal Testing in the United States free essay sample

Examines the procedures and rules governing animal testing, reviews alternative methods and looks at the history of the animal rights movement. This paper covers the history of the modern animal rights movement and examines and evaluates the current federal legislation regarding all aspects of animal testing and treatment of laboratory animals. Individual animal tests and alternatives to using laboratory animals are discussed from different viewpoints. Reasons for either supporting or condemning many different types of animal tests in the areas of medicine, cosmetics and scientific research are looked at. We will write a custom essay sample on Animal Testing in the United States or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This paper covers the history of the modern animal rights movement and examines and evaluates the current federal legislation regarding all aspects of animal testing and treatment of laboratory animals. Individual animal tests and alternatives to using laboratory animals are discussed from different viewpoints. Reasons for either supporting or condemning many different types of animal tests in the areas of medicine, cosmetics and scientific research are looked at.

Woman In Black Live Theatre Review Essay Example For Students

Woman In Black Live Theatre Review Essay On the 29th of November I went to see the woman in black at the fortune theatre in London. The play was adapted from Susan Hill’s original novel, ‘The Woman in Black’, by Stephan Mallart into a semi-naturalistic play within a play. The book pulled on themes from Victorian ghost stories, making it a horror filled with anticipation, the constant air of suspense with underlying menace and threat is replicated superbly. The director, Robin Herford, uses theatrical techniques to ignite and excite our imagination, forcing us to imagine something far worse than what we are actually seeing. Herford’s main intention is to scare us, something, judging by the constant screams, he does quite well. The play also continuously hints towards its period setting, showing the era through the period costume, like bowler hats, and referring to ‘modern’ technology, like recorded sound. We will write a custom essay on Woman In Black Live Theatre Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The theatre itself appeared to be from the Victorian era and is a proscenium arch with a thrust coming out of the CS. The thrust was used by both David Acton and Ben Deery to come out of their various characters and narrate parts of the story, speaking directly to the audience. For the majority of the play a fourth wall was created, but as the thrust came out of the stage it seemed to also come out of the fourth wall. The theatre was also small, making us feel trapped and intensifying the experience because the audience feed off each other’s emotions. When we first entered the theatre we noticed how the stage was set with an odd assortment of unclean, well used items (a chair, a wicker basket, a costume rail covered in a dirty sheet, two buckets and an abandoned piece of scenery placed slightly off stage). The props had no obvious connection and appeared to have no purpose, creating the image of a theatre in the dark, as was the intention of both director, Robin Herford, and designer, Michael Holt. This effect was also created by the dull, dark colours of the props and set. The lack of set also enhanced the idea of an abandoned, unused theatre. A grey gauze obscured the back half of the stage and the floor was painted to look like old wooden floor boards, giving us no real indication of where the play was set and added to the bleak and empty feel. The floor had been painted so that it was darker near the edges and lighter near the middle, focusing our attention and intensifying the play. The play started with Mr (R-)Kipps (R-Kipps refers to real Kipps, Mr kipps to actor in role) walking onstage. There was no indication from lighting or sound that the play had begun as neither changed, even the house lights didn’t go down. This, the lack of set and Mr (R-)Kipps repeating and tripping over his lines gave an immediate amateurish feel to the production. However Mr (R-)Kipps was then interrupted by the actor, who was standing behind the people sitting in the stalls, making them jump. He referred to all the empty seats as he made his way up to the stage, making it clear that the play was set in a theatre and that we weren’t really there, creating a fourth wall. The fact that the lighting and sound hadn’t changed made us think that the production was set in the theatre we were sitting in, immediately making the play (and the non-existent threat of the woman in black) more realistic. The actors were performing for a long time before the house lights finally faded out, allowing us to be slowly drawn in and as the story darkened so did the stage lighting and the seating area around us. .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b , .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .postImageUrl , .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b , .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:hover , .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:visited , .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:active { border:0!important; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:active , .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u079628ae2ba065205daa781ccc22e71b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The play starts EssayThe key way in which they differentiated between the play (the Actor helping Mr (R-)Kipps) and the play within the play (PWP) (the Actor playing Mr Kipps) was the use of sound and lighting. The PWP used a vast array of sound and lighting drawing us into the story, where as the play used a basic wash of white light, and if a sound effect was added it was always commented upon (e.g. the clock ticking to make the office), and had only been added in the first place as it was going to be used in the PWP. The Actor communicated with the imaginary sound technician Mr Bruce by moving DS, looking up, past audience and clicking his fingers to do this. He would also click his fingers at Mr Bruce to snap out of the PWP. This was extremely effective as we were always aware of which play we were viewing. However I found it annoying as after they had been building up tension in the PWP to suddenly snap out of it destroyed the tension and took us away from the story, making us once again aware that we were watching a play. This also made the scenes that took part in the play seemed long and drawn out, as the lack of lighting and sound meant that the play relied solely on the acting, script and plot, weakening the overall production. However the performances during the PWP were fantastic. David Acton convincingly became a variety of different characters, convincingly changing his accent for each character depending on their class and area they lived (e.g. country accent) as well as giving them certain characteristic, for instance Tomes’s sniff. The tone and pace of his voice would also change, for instance Keckwick had a slow, deep, emotionless voice with a thick country accent. He also had an emotionless facial expression and was hunched over, creating a secrecy about the character that made us very wary of him. His transformation between the different characters was also aided with simple costume changes that dictated the class and background of the character, as well as suiting the situation they were currently in. For example to become Keckwick he donned a dark green coat, an old scarf and brown hat. All the items looked well used, inexpensive and were darkly coloured, suitably making the character looked dressed for a cold night or day, showing he is working-class as well as indicating to the audience that the characters were outside. Where as to be Mr Jerome at the funeral he dressed smartly in a black suit and top hat (middle or upper class), again this suited the character and the situation. The majority of the costume changes were done on stage with the open use of a clothes rail. This is a Brechtian technique that asks the audience to suspend their disbelief and momentarily breaks the fourth wall. However we were perfectly happy to accept the actors doing it, as we simply believed him to be Mr Kipps acting.