Prison Term Policy Recommendation Paper

In phratry 2011 on that point go away be a vote on a post-horse that lead double the prison house house metre of anyone grantting gird robbery, in the state of Wisconsin. The forecast of the bill sponsors is that the amplificationd penalties exit dissuade a someone from intrustting build up robbery. Senator McKenzie is sensitive of touristy support for the bill however, he has asked for my barrackation of whether or non the card allow for hit any certain chip effect on the gait of incidence. When State Senator McKenzie asked me for my recommendation, I looked for studies on the stop effect of lengthy metres, for arm robbery.The studies I read indicate that, whereas on that point whitethorn be a sylphlike diminution in recidivism, the reduction was not meaningful overflowing to indicate that a intermin satis eventory excoriate has a probative deterrent effect on those commit fortify robbery. The reduction of umbrage is not straight off contri but satisfactory to the length of condemn. Rather than focus, too intently, on studies of the deterrent effect of stiffer penalties, I intend that it is to a greater extent important to look at the other fixingss, which whitethorn devolve a individual to commit an fortify robbery. in that respect ar trinity criminology theories in grouchy, which may influence a felons decision to commit a red-faced offensive. The biological supposition theorizes that some state atomic number 18 born to be hurtful something in his or her biological establishment acquires them to be bring on in a hostile fashion. The shrewd prime(a) theory theorizes that bulk have free ordain and, if they commit a groundless act it is that they train to do so. Finally, the mental theory theorizes that in that respect is a psychological deficiency that leads a mortal to commit roughshod acts. What is build up Robbery?To begin, it is important to render wherefore gird robbery should fa ther great penalties than non- build up robbery. When a soulfulness commits gird robbery, he or she is exploitation, or threatening to use, a weapon the woeful is intimidating the victim into relinquishing his or her money or property (CriminalDefenseLawyer. com, 2011). When weapons ar involved, the danger that mortal will be heartrendingly h gird or killed probatoryly increases. The purpose of the bill, on cerebrate on armed robbery, is to deter criminals from using vehemence in the commission of his or her crime.The main question to be counted is wherefore does a criminal commit an armed robbery? Understanding this question may eventually lead to the genuine intent of how to reduce and eliminate crime three theories of criminal conduct in particular may hold the key. Biological Theories The counterbalance theory to consider is the biological theory. Is in that respect something in the fundamental makeup of an exclusive that may lead him or her to military group and criminal activities?Ces ar Lombraso, a 19th degree Celsius Italian medical doctor, is one of the better(p) known scientific biological theorists. one and single(a) of his theories posited that, if a person had an underdeveloped witticism (e. g. inferior brain) they would be incapable of conformist to the rules and laws of society because they would be unable to understand why what they argon doing is wrong. Lombroso performed autopsies on legion(predicate) criminals, including an Italian soldier who attacked and killed eight of his brother soldiers, and found deformities of the criminals brains.This led him to conclude that a reason for the criminals behavior was that the criminal had inferior reasoning capabilities, and therefore, the criminal could not understand the difference betwixt what is right and wrong (Schmalleger, 2009). A biological theory, by evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin, theorized that because biography favors the strongest and best individuals, those who be able to give power and possessions are more or less plausibly to procreate, thereof continuing his or her genes. Animals, including humans, are driven to ggression, and crime, to improve his or her stinting and mixer positions to facilitate his or her count for a mate (Schmalleger, 2009). Lombraso and Darwin modeld that biological science is the cause behind aggressive and criminal behavior. Rational Choice Theory A second theory is the classical schooltime of criminology referred to as the rational choice theory, or free will. This theory posits that a person chooses to commit criminal acts that circumstances such(prenominal) as social and stinting hardships lead a person to commit crime.The theory maintains that a person will consider the pros and cons of committing a criminal act if the benefits outdo the punishment, the person will commit the crime (Law depository library Free Legal Encyclopedia, 2011). concord to this theory, a person with low social standing, and often impoerished would be more likely to commit armed robbery to improve his or her economic conditions, thus improving his or her social position. uncorrupted theorists Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham were two theorists who believed that if the punishment were greater than the benefits of the crime, individuals would be deterred from committing criminal (Schmalleger, 2009). However, this theory does not have the appearance _or_ semblance to take into account the desperation factor if someone is impoverished, possible living on the streets, his or her desperation for basic requirements may be such that there is no deterrent strong enough to barricade him or her. Psychological Theory The three theory is based on psychological factors.Sigmund Freud and J. Dollard proposed theories that, when a person is significantly frustrated, over a massive period, aggression is the indwelling outcome (Schmalleger, 2009). According to this touch sensation, if a person lives in depravation long enough, the individual will eventually become frustrated enough that he or she may lose to armed robbery, to improve his or her economic status. Another psychological theory, which is popular in current times, is that tough video games, television, and movies, are the driving force behind angry criminal activity.Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, a designer assistant professor of psychology at West Point, calls video game, hypnotic executing simulators (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 231). This theory posits that people become desensitized to violence and lose perspective they no durable see right and wrong, therefore they may resort to criminal activity to become what they want. Whether any, or all, of these theories have merit, it is clear that there are factors other than simple covetousness that can lead to a person committing a violent crime such as armed robbery.Without being able to narrow down the factors of why a person is likely to commit an armed robber y, it is difficult at best to determine what will deter him or her from committing the crime. It is my belief that too many factors contribute to a persons decision to commit the crime, to believe that simply lengthening the fate will be effective. Studies Two studies in particular, on the deterrent effect of overnight sentences on criminals committing armed robbery, indicate that although there may be a slight deterrent effect, there is not a significant deterrent effect by increasing sentence length.In 2006, Italy passed a bill that gave clemency to thousands of criminals with three or fewer years left on his or her sentences. If the criminals were to commit any progress crimes within the next five years, not only would the individual have to see the sentence for any(prenominal) crime was committed, the sentence would be extended by whatever time had not been previously served (University of gelt barrack journals, 2009). This gave three scientists, Francesco Drego, Roberto G albiati, and Pietro Vertova the opportunity to try out the deterrent effect of semipermanent sentences on recidivism rates.In 2009, the scientists published their discoveries in the Journal of Political Economy the results indicate that an increase of sentencing, by as little as one month, reduced the recidivism rate by 1. 3% in less serious crimes however, for criminals committing more serious offenses, of which armed robbery is one, there was virtually no deterrent effect (University of Chicago Press Journals, 2009). Although this issue is encouraging for less serious crimes, it does not indicate that there is a significant reduction of serious and/or violent crimes because of the longer sentencing.Another study conducted by the economists David S. Lee of Columbia and Justin McCrary of Michigan, focused on Florida recidivism rates, discovered that even though enslavement and sentences increase from three to 17% afterwards the age of 18, depending on the seriousness of the cri me, there was no significant drop in recidivism rates when juvenile criminals transitioned to adult courts. It was, in fact, because the individual was incarcerated and unable to commit more crimes that there was a drop in criminal activity between the ages of 17 and 19 (Waldfogel, 2007).Conclusion There are too many factors, which may cause a person to commit an armed robbery, to believe that simply lengthening the prison term will be effective. If a person is biologically inclined toward criminal activity, longer sentences will not be sufficient to override his or her biological programming. If they have inferior cognitive abilities, because of underdeveloped brains, they will be unable to comprehend the implication of a longer sentence a longer sentence would have no more significance to them than a shorter sentence.If the person has endured frustration long enough that they feel his or her only choice it to take what they want by force, they are unlikely to consider the prison sentence before they commit the act. Or they may determine that even if they are caught, at least they will have a roof over their heads, diet on their plate, and clothes on their back, if they are sent to prison. For some criminals this may, in fact, be an inducement to commit the crime.If a person has become psychologically warped by social media, they may have woolly-headed the capability to judge right and wrong, thereby losing the capability to consider the consequences of his or her actions a longer sentence would not be sufficient deterrence. Finally, if the person has made the choice, of his or her own free will, to commit an armed robbery, even after weighing the pros and cons, two-baser his or her sentence is going to have very little deterrent effect. umteen criminals believe that they will not be apprehended or they believe they will be able to reduce their sentence through a plea bargain. When a criminal chooses to commit a crime, they are also choosing to accept the penalty should they be caught. Of the three theories, I believe that a criminal who falls under the rational choice theory has the best gamble of being deterred. This criminal is the one who is most likely to understand the significance of a longer sentence.However, as the Italian and Florida studies indicated, lofty longer sentences did little to deter violent criminals. As violent crime is not, in my opinion, a rational act, it is unlikely that armed robbers would fall under the rational choice theory hence, they are unlikely to be deterred by doubling their prison sentence. My testimonial While I do not believe that doubling the prison sentences of armed robbers will have a significant deterrent effect on armed robbers, I do believe that it will have an effect on the crime rate.If the criminal is incarcerated for a long period, they are unable to commit further armed robberies. They will be segregated from society, and will be unable to further filch society. Society will al so receive psychological benefits from the new law they will feel comforted by the fact that the individual is no longer able to victimize society. As the bill has popular support, from both the legislature and the public, I recommend that Senator McKenzie vote to pass the bill, when it comes up for a vote in September 2011.ReferencesCriminalDefenseLawyer. com. (2011). fortify Robbery. Retrieved 10 January 2011, from http//www. criminaldefenselawyer. com/crime-penalties/federal/Armed-Robbery. htm Law Library Free Legal Encyclopedia. (2011). Classical naturalize of Criminology. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http//law. jrank. org/pages/14359/classical-school-criminology. html Schmalleger, F. (2009). Criminology Today An combinative Introduction, Fifth Edition.Retrieved 30 January 2011, from CJA 314. University of Chicago Press Journals (2009). Potential Criminals Can Be Deterred By Longer Sentences, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http//www. scienced aily. com /releases/2009/05/090518111726. htm Waldfogel, J. (2007). The ill-judged 18-Year-Old Criminal. Slate. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http//www. slate. com/id/2158317/