Journal # 6

 

Jane Maher is an example of a woman trying to make a difference in this world by helping women who are convicted felons. In “Raw Material”, Mrs. Maher discusses her experience as a teacher in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in Westchester, NY. Jane Maher explains the circumstances and the hardships faced when trying to establish an educational system in a prison. There are simply not enough funds and resources to conduct a program that encourages these women to better themselves. The lacks of resources result in women returning to prison after they have been released.

After reading this article I sympathize with both the prisoners and the victims. I question the motives of these prisoners and wonder what kind of traumatic events occurred in their pasts that resulted in them committing a crime. I think in order to lessen crime rates education should be a priority. Knowledge is the key to a successful future because it pushes someone to have goals. Most of these women have been abused and used growing up and so they feel unworthy of succeeding. The first step into becoming sufficient members of society is to feel empowered and have self-confidence because we are all capable of greatness. 

Annotated Bibliography

 

Source 1:   Children Can Never Be Safe in Adult Prisons. New York Times [serial online].  

                                   April 9, 2012:20. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich,
                                   MA. Accessed May 21, 2015.

This article is about a delay of three years in the Justice Department. It discusses how there is a need for reforms in prisons. A main one includes mandatory rape-prevention policies for federal prisons and state correctional institutions. The article continues to discuss the regulation of alleged attacks must be reformed in order to create a safer environment for prisoners. The institution must improve medical and psychiatric help for the victims.

This is important because I believe that an adult prison is not a suitable environment for a child even if they committed a crime. An adult prison has too many flaws and lack programs and guidance that a child needs n order to develop. It is important to understand the difference between an adult prison and a juvenile dentition center to argue my topic.

 

Source 2:    Smith, J. S. (2002). ADULT PRISONS: No Place for Kids. USA Today Magazine,         131(2686), 34

 

            This article discusses the incarceration of youths in adult prisons in the United States. It explains how Smith feels the practice of imprisoning young people with adult criminals is unreasonable and not beneficial. Reason for locking away youngsters in adult prisons does not sit well with Smith because he feels that teens are not developed enough to understand the court system yet alone a trial. Although he does feel that children should be punished for their bad actions locking them away with hardened criminals will only affect a child in a negative way.

            I for one agree with Mr. Smith and his views on child imprisonment. I do not think a child is mature enough to understand the legal system. Although they committed a crime they are too young to be surrounded by old man and women who are imprisoned for life. It is important to understand the reason why a child committed their crime. Evaluate the motives in order to help them once they are released. I can use this in my research paper because it is important to acknowledge that these are young kids some as young as 13 years old being in the same cell with a rapist and or murder that may be double their age.

 

Source 3:  History of Juvenile Justice in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from  http://www.djs.state.md.us/history-us.asp

 

            This website discusses the reasons why a juvenile center was developed and how it has evolved over generations. These centers were created as an idea of rehabilitation for teens convicted of crimes. It was an establishment built after government officials realized that children were not safe under the same prison as adults. The article explains that before the Supreme Court case of 1967 known as the In re Gault children had no legal rights in the legal system.

            I feel that this article is an important part of my research paper because it makes my paper credible. Like every research topic we have to discuss how things were in the past compared to the now. After the Supreme Court was set in placed congress passed a law known as the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. This act is supposed to protect and separate children imamates from adult prisoners. However due to the high increase in crime rate many states have neglected to follow this protocol and have been placing them together. It is important to understand the reason this act was placed in order to enforce and reform it.

Source 4:  Jailing Juveniles (2007, November). Washington, DC: Campaign for Youth Justice. 6 National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, Report 18 (June 2009)

 

            Campaign for Youth Justice is an organization focused on protecting the rights of children convicted of crimes. Throughput this article it states explicit statistics and facts of children mistreated and victimized by the older inmates. It states that youth intimates in adult prisons have the highest suicide rate compared to all inmates. The article continues to discuss how teens under 18 years old have a higher percentage of being sexual abused or assaulted. This campaign focuses on the affects a child endures being placed in an adult prison.

            In my research paper it is important to have facts and statistics backing my idea. This article focuses on the negative aspects of locking up a child in an adult prison has. It really highlights my thesis and concerns about sending a child to an adult correctional facility. There is not enough security or supervision for these children to confirm their safety. There are not guards in each cell during sleep hours. The lack of programs and support results in many youth incarnated to take extreme measures resulting in suicide. Using these facts will allow my paper to be convincing to others that children should be placed in juvenile centers.

Proposal Idea

      International criminal justice defines the gravest crimes that threaten the peace, security and will being of the world and are concern to the international community. Throughout the 1920’s women have blossomed and fought for their rights in the United States. However most women in financially unstable countries are still not treated as equals or have a voice to stand up for themselves. In this field I want to explore the hardships women face in developing countries. The focus will include the measures taken in order to ensure women’s safety and rights through organizations and programs developed or developing.

      I selected this topic because equality is the foundation of a functioning and healthy society. Living in the 21^st century one realizes the advancements made in medicine and technology. Then come to realize that in third world countries women are still obligated to marry a man that has been chosen for them, or stay in a relationship where they are mistreated and abused because divorce is not in option. When my mom talks about her childhood she describes my grandmother as a vulnerable woman in Ecuador because she lived in a generation where women did as they were told. I want to empower the future generations to come. We all deserve to have opinions be open-minded, receive an education and apply for high level working positions.  We have seen women fighting for equality throughout history now it is time to implement their fight and make it a reality globally.

      The materials I will use will be divided in sections. The first couple of paragraphs will discuss the main problems occurring in developing countries. This will include the lack of education women receive, sexual violations and health awareness. Explain how the norms of religion and culture can negatively affect a woman and this includes genital mutilation. After I have discussed the hardships I can explain the solutions organizations and programs have developed in order to help the victims of hateful crimes. I will research women that have tried to make a difference and encourage others for change. I will plea for equality and justice around the world. Research what the United Nations has established to protect the population of women throughout the continents.

 

 

 

Journal # 5

          

 

Bullying is a cruel act done by those who want to feel superior and powerful. This mentality is awful. Due to the advances in technology cyber bullying has become a common form of belittling someone. To make matters worse most of these acts are down by anonymous users and so there is no one to confront .A person can be in the comforts of their own home and be made fun of through social media. The ad is a representation of thinking twice before speaking and commenting on someone else’s life. If you do not have anything nice to say about someone then do not say anything at all. Negative words are not easily forgotten and most posts cannot be erased this can scar someone permanently.

Journal # 4

 

            After writing my literacy narrative I feel accomplished I was able to write the five-page requirement. When it comes to drafting I write what comes to mind and then peer edit. I learned that when I first start generating ideas I get stuck. I have to learn to brainstorm my ideas beforehand so I have enough to say about the particular topic I am discussing. However I felt the peer editing during class was helpful and it pushed me to be more creative. The peer-editing exercise allowed me to have a second opinion, which was helpful when I was editing my second draft. I appreciated the feedback I received through email that was beyond helpful and I was able to use the advice given to complete my narrative. The questions allowed me to further my ideas on what literacy meant to me.

 

            The significance part of this assignment was acknowledging the importance of literacy. I never thought about the resources and opportunities children growing up in America receive compared to children living in financially challenged countries.  I acknowledge the importance articulating ones thoughts onto paper is. I do not like to write about myself personally. I prefer writing about topics that are debatable an example would be a research assignment. There is no particular reason I just have a harder time developing ideas because I really have to take a moment and think about events in my life that I can use. As a writer I felt I developed my peer editing skills. Compared to my first draft I think my narrative has improved.

 Journal # 3

        

     “Learning to Ready” was an essay that described Malcolm X journey to appreciating the importance of knowledge. Malcolm X was convicted of robbery and spent seven years behind bars. He was stuck in a place where all you have are your thoughts and ideas as sources of entrainment. However he soon discovered that he was incapable of writing and explaining those thoughts and ideas onto paper and was determined to learn. He had will power and soon enough practiced by writing the entire dictionary and learning the meanings of the words. This shows a man who was ready to change his ways to be a successful and productive member of society. He spent the rest of his time in jail reading about his history and learned quickly how neglected other races were compared to the dominant white race. Malcolm X was fascinated by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and he became one of his disciples.

     Malcolm X learned the injustice of denying someone the opportunity to educate themselves. He was a man who did not waste seven years of his life instead he used his situation to become educated and that encouraged him to be fascinated about learning beyond just facts he went on to philosophy This essay shows the importance reading and writing has on someone because it allows one to think outside of the box. Malcolm X has influenced so many people around the world but that would have not been possible if he was unable to articulate his ideas on paper or even by making a speech. 

Journal # 2 

               In the article “Increasing Women’s Access to Justice in Post-Conflict Societies” Michelle Bachelet explains the measures the United Nations has started to take in order to help women victim of domestic and sexual abuse. The article continues to explain women that do not have resources have a harder time adjusting to their lives after they have been violated. These women are not able to confront the criminal and are left to feel weak and scared. This article explains that women in certain regions of the world are left without justice. Due to this they are unable to successfully continue with their lives. The message of this article is to fight for equality, help end gender based crimes and sexual violations.