Ch 5 Intro to Corrections

Ch 5 - You Decide Part II - Justify Your Choices: Assistant Sheriff of a County Jail

1. The central issues for an assistant sheriff of a county jail revolve around types of jails and potential solutions to the problems or issues of administration that can arise in a jail. Explain your choices in this scenario by addressing the following questions:

If you were to design a new jail and had to choose between a second-generation, new-generation or fourth-generation design, which would you choose and how would you structure it to enable best practices for short- and long-term inmates? Describe the physical layout as well as its approach to rehabilitation, any specialized populations, and availability of programs.

2. Staff training is key not just to the efficiency of work in a jail, but for preventing problems of inmate suicide, violence, drug use, and gang rivalry. What area of jail structures or operations would you recommend staff be trained for, and why?

Chapter 5 Video Case: Jail is Better: MC Questions

Conditions for inmates inside jails nationwide continue to improve. Problems of overcrowding persist in some jails, especially large urban jails, in part because state and federal prisoners have been housed there. New jail design and better training for jail officers are credited with trying to lower violence, suicide rates, and mental health issues. Public sentiment holds that being outside of jail is a higher quality of life than being held in detention, but for some offenders staying in jail is preferable to release.

1. Where has Kevin Morales, subject of the video, been living since his release from jail?

a. under a bridge

b. in a homeless shelter that provide drug rehabilitation services

c. at home with an electronic monitoring device

d. in a sober living facility

2. Why are Kevin Morales and the other men currently in this living situation?

a. They chose to live there until room opened up in a local homeless shelter.

b. The living situation is a condition of their parole terms.

c. The city laws prevent state correction officers from placing them anywhere because of restrictions on sexual offenders and proximity to children.

d. City housing shortages require that the men be placed in their current living situation.

3. Why is Morales at the Dade County Courthouse?

a. He is asking that his criminal history be expunged.

b. He is asking that he serve the remainder of his probation term in jail.

c. He is facing new sexual offense charges.

d. He is filing charges against his probation officer for assault.

4. How did the court rule?

a. The judge granted his request.

b. The judge agreed to split his remaining probation time.

c. The judge ruled the city ordinances were invalid.

d. The judge could not grant his request.

5. What is the Miami Dade County Commissioner's opinion regarding Kevin Morales and his living situation?

a. He believes that the law is unfair and needs to be changed so Kevin Morales' living situation can be improved.

b. He believes that all offenders should be subjected to the same living conditions upon release.

c. In general, he does not support anyone living in that condition, but he feels no sympathy because of the sexual offenses committed by Kevin Morales.

d. He supports people living in that condition, but sympathizes with Kevin Morales because of the strictness of the laws regarding sexual offenders and their proximity to children.

Chapter 5 Video Case: Jail is Better: Discussion Questions

1. Do you believe the city ordinances preventing sexual offenders such as Kevin Morales from coming within 2,500 feet of children are too strict, or are they fair? Why or why not?

2. If offenders wish to remain in jail versus be placed on probation, should they have that option? Why or why not?