1. Discuss the three procedural reforms to the death penalty made by the Court in the case Gregg v. Georgia.
2. In Furman, the Court overturned the death penalty, arguing that it was arbitrary and discriminatory. Has the practice of capital punishment today resolved the concerns of the Furman court? Why or why not?
3. Discuss the feasibility of the suggested reforms to capital punishment. What is needed from the criminal justice system in order to satisfy these concerns?
4. Historically, changes in correctional practices are caused by changes in social or political ideology. However, the authors argue that the unique economic climate contributed to changes in correctional practices. What does this tell us about the nature of criminal justice policy in general and correctional practices in particular?
5. The authors discuss how substance abuse hinders an ex-offender's ability to maintain employment, secure suitable and sustainable housing, and adhere to his or her conditions of community supervision. Strict enforcement of substance-free supervision conditions can lead to high levels of revocation and inflate recidivism rates. What policy changes should be implemented to ensure adherence with supervision conditions and limit supervision revocations while being aware of the realities of addiction?
6. What role, if any, should policy play in reconciling the polarity between the social work and the law enforcement approaches to community-based corrections?
7. Which aspects of current correctional policies impede the development of therapeutic relationships between the community corrections officers and ex-offenders under their supervision? What policies should be enhanced or eliminated to endure the development of therapeutic relationships within the correctional context?