Monday, September 30, 2019

A Great Law of Human Action

Truong Th? H? ng Nhung MSV: 08D170334 *** Managers can find an effective way to delegate work successfully thanks to reading the chapter Tom Sawyer whitewashing the fence in the famous novel of â€Å"Tom Sawyer†, written by Mark Twain because Tom Sawyer discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it – namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. When being assigned to paint the fence, Tom felt â€Å"life to him seemed hollow, and existence but a burden†. Tom wanted to hire some children walking on the street to do his work but he found that he didn’t have enough money to buy their â€Å"free afternoon†. At this dark and hopeless moment, a magnificent idea raised in his mind, instead of complaining, he returned to his work with pleasure. Soon came a boy, named Ben Rogers by and laughed at Tom because he could not go swimming instead he had to work. Tom pretended to be so interested in his work, which made Ben curious to try the work. â€Å"It suits Tom Sawyer†, â€Å"I reckon there ain’t one boy in a thousand, maybe two thousand, that can do it the way it’s got to be done†, these sayings urged Ben to ask for whitewashing the fence a bit. Tom surrendered reluctantly his brush to Ben in exchange for an apple core. Gradually, more and more boys came to whitewash the fence with Ben, the duty of Tom was just sitting under a shade tree, managing the activity. In such a short time, the fence put on â€Å"a new shirt† with the pleasure of both Tom and the children. From the story, we can withdraw two useful delegation skill. First, you need to know how to make your task inviting. No one wants to take a task which you are always grumbling about it. Tom would never have invited the children to take his work if he had been always complaining about the boreness of the work. Second, when someone asks to help you with your work, you should pretend to hold back, as Tom did, but do allow them to help you in the end. If so, he will find that it’s not easy to take the job, and so appreciate it more highly. Last, but not least, you need to monitor the one to whom you delegated the job. In the whole, the great law of human action really reflects the fact about all people’s need. People always want to show that they have abilities to fulfill a difficult task which many people are unable to do.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

The Purpose of Architecture

The purpose of architecture is to create useful spaces that people want to be in. It’s not enough to make the space useful if people hate being in it. And it’s not enough to make people want to be in it if they can’t use it for its intended purpose. But being attractive without being useful is probably better than being useful without being attractive. If people like a space, they’ll find a way to make it work. If people don’t like a space, they’ll stay away, even if it   seems to meet all their practical needs.Architecture creates more than one kind of space. Interior spaces are the ones we usually think about. But architecture creates exterior spaces as well. A new building on a street makes it a different kind of street. Is it a street where people want to be, or is it a street they hurry through? The architect is as much responsible for the street his building sits on as he is for the space inside the building. If a new construction cre ates a long, blank wall that people instinctively avoid, the architect has effectively destroyed the street.Businesses on the other side of it will wither, and the street will exist only as a passage from one more desirable place to another. Style is less important than scale in creating spaces people like. Architecture on a human scale is inherently more friendly than architecture on a titanic scale. Monumental architecture needs smaller subdivisions to make itself relatable: the arches in a Roman basilica, or the stilts in a Mies van der Rohe office building.Great slabs of concrete or stone put us off instead of welcoming us; remembering the human scale is the thing that makes architecture work. These are all obvious ideas, but the enthusiasm of an all-encompassing theory of architecture can make an architect forget them. An architect needs to look at his plans and ask, â€Å"Will people want to be here? † Perhaps he should point to different spots on the blueprint at rando m: Will people want to be  here,  or  here,  or  here? If he can always answer yes to that question, he’s done his job well.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Idolization of Elvis Presley After Death

Elvis Presley was the first rock and roll star. He was born January 8, 1935, in East Tupelo, MS. Presley was the son of Gladys and Vernon Presley, a sewing machine operator and a truck driver. He and his parents moved to Memphis, TN in 1948 and Elvis graduated from Humes High School in 1953. Elvis Presley is one of the world’s most famous singers and icon of music and pop culture. His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Elvis was a very kind man. He did everything he could for people around him. In 1975, he purchased a poor black East Memphis woman an electric wheel chair and picked her up and personally sat her in it. The woman’s teenage daughter told Elvis she liked his car. He gave it to her and even gave her boyfriend a job. Studies show that Presley was bullied at school. Classmates threw things at him, rotten fruit and stuff, because he was different, such as quiet and he stuttered and he was a mama’s boy. All of this showed him that he had to change his attitude and become someone that he was not. Presley was more popular than ever and one of the biggest personality cults in modern history was taking hold. When Presley was off stage he suffered self doubt, poor management, and a basic dissatisfaction with his life. With these thoughts he turned to drugs to solve all of his problems. Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager. He put together music from both sides of the color line. Elvis performed this music with a hip swiveling sexuality that made him a teen idol and a role model for generations of cool rebels. He was always dismissed vulgar, incompetent and bad influence. Teenage girls became hysterical over his sexual movements; particularly the one that got him nicknamed â€Å"Elvis the Pelvis†. Television cameras were not permitted to film below his waist. Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success with other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads, and pop. To this day, he is the only performer to have been inducted into four music halls of fame. People today still think that Elvis was the greatest person in the world and he was not. Of course he made good music and had accomplished things that people still haven’t been able to do to this day but he also did a lot of bad things also. He was a prescription drug abuser and even led many women on to think that he really liked them instead of just telling them all the truth. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977 in the bathroom at Graceland. Studies show that he died of cardiac arrhythmia, which means that the heart was beating irregularly and in this case, finally stopped. While that is so true he also overdosed on many different prescription drugs. These drugs included codeine, valium, morphine, and Demerol. These were the drugs that were said to be Presley’s depressants. Now that Elvis has been for 31 years, he still has many people talking and seeing him as he is still alive. People still praise him after his death. That is so against the Christian religion. The Christian bible says that you shouldn’t idolize any other person but the Almighty above. You will be punished for idolizing any other person other than God. Okay I can understand leaving his house up for public show but having old pork chops and pajamas all on the floor is uncaused for. People just take it overboard and then for him to have been dead for so long, why do people keep saying that he is still alive. It just doesn’t make any sense for them to be saying that and they know that he is buried behind his Graceland home in Memphis. Since Elvis’ death, his Memphis home Graceland has become a shrine for millions of followers worldwide. Graceland was purchased by Presley in March 1957, it was a former church and he converted it into a twenty three room mansion. Graceland visitors come from all walks of life, all ages, all musical tastes, all income levels, all educational backgrounds, and all parts of the world. Over half of Graceland’s visitors are under the age of 35. I am 19 years old and would ride pass Presley’s house everyday and would care less what’s in his house. You can see how it looks from the streets. People even gathered twice a year to celebrate his birthday and mourn on his death date. I think that that is the craziest thing ever. These are people that know nothing about this man and have only listened to his music and do stuff like this. I mean Elvis Presley Blvd will be backed up for miles because people are out worshipping this man and he is nobody. Yes he may have given Memphis a good name but he did nothing for the city itself. We had B. B King and many others and you barely hear anything about them. When you hear of Memphis it’s all about Elvis Presley and he did nothing. Presley’s home Graceland is the second most popular private tourist attraction in the United States after the White House, and is estimated to bring in $150 million to the city itself each year. I just can’t believe that because Memphis has streets that need to be fixed, need new schools, and more. Memphis is not a perfect city at all and if we’re getting that much from Graceland then we should be close to perfect. Presley’s family or daughter is getting that money and it makes me upset to see them say that Memphis is getting a percent of that money and we not seeing a dime of it. In conclusion, Elvis has brought a lot to Memphis and has given us a good name. Elvis was one of the best artists alive but he is gone and people should treat him as such. He lived as a good man or so they say but he gone now. It is fine to leave his house up for attractions but do something with the money to help the communities around Memphis and to better it. Idolization is not right and should not be practiced. It doesn’t matter who it is. Nobody amounts to God and nobody should be compared or treated as God is.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Nursing Research Appraisal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nursing Research Appraisal - Essay Example The purpose of the study is to investigate the background of â€Å"getting evidence into practice†. In order to provide for representation of the facts that revealed during the study, the authors used a framework, reflecting the elements influencing the process. The elements that are observed by the authors to be major influencing factors are the â€Å"nature of the evidence†, the â€Å"context†, and the â€Å"facilitation†. The authors aimed at examining the components of the framework with the help of empirical enquiry approach. The research was divided into two parts. At the first stage investigative focus groups were appointed to give a perspective of the factors that may influence the process of implementing the evidence into practice. At the second stage the experts collected the data of case studies. The designed used by the authors is effective to provide for relevant data within the research and represent them in accurate manner. This essay declares that qualitative research involves narratives, in-depth interviews and focus groups. Powell et al give the following notion of a focus group: â€Å"a group of individuals selected and assembled by researchers to discuss and comment on, from personal experience, the topic that is the subject of the research†. Focus groups are similar to interviewing groups but they have definite distinctions. As Jones states, â€Å"Group interviewing involves interviewing a number of people at the same time, the emphasis being on questions and responses between the researcher and participants. Focus groups however rely on interaction within the group based on topics that are supplied by the researcher†. ". (p. 379) As it is stated in Research Methods, "The rule for selecting people for focus groups tends to be commonality rather than diversity. Research has shown that people tend to disclose more to people who resemble them in various ways than to people who differ fr om them. The kind of homogeneity you need depends on the specific purpose of the research. It is likely that you will want to consider the relevance of factors such as age, educational background, sex, professional status and ethnic formation". All qualitative researches and this in particular are based upon analytical categorization to describe the phenomena. (Rice, P. L. & Ezzy, D, p.168) The data revealing in the research process provide for a ground to point out new categories. Thus, the authors of the study reconsidered pre-set theories and pointed out new categories to be highlighted within the research process (Gibbs). The grounded theory approach usually is "to read (and re-read) a textual database (such as a corpus of field notes) and "discover" or label variables (called categories, concepts and properties) and their interrelationships. The ability to perceive variables and relationships is termed "theoretical sensitivity" and is affected by a number of

Thursday, September 26, 2019

English class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

English class - Essay Example The desire to contribute to the technical world is mounting in the young minds. They are motivated and inspired to provide their innovative ideas in the field of engineering and therefore School of Engineering was the best opportunity to enable these aspiring talents to procure their degrees and make their ways in the field of engineering. The School of Engineering was opened in the spring of 2008 in the span of 115,000 square foot area with finest lecture halls and 60 research as well as teaching laboratories. This also encompasses study spaces, classrooms and faculty offices as well. The young talents also want to put their share of contribution in the field of business and they are keen in providing a new dimension to the field of business and their dealings in a novel paradigm. Keeping this in view, School of Business was opened in January 2008 in a wide area of 145,000 sq. ft. The area encompasses classrooms in traditional manner with faculty offices a trading room as well as ca pital markets center. It also encompasses common rooms for students where they can share their views and thoughts in a more informal manner. It also keeps in view that recreation is must for the process of learning and therefore it also includes cafe for refreshing self and also for relaxing mind to accommodate and contribute more towards learning process. It also emphasize on the collaborative learning process as well as team discussions.

Search report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Search report - Research Paper Example The question is why women than men? This is explained biologically by the fact that female urethra is relatively shorter and more close to the anus than the males. The risk of UTI among women increases with age due to the lost of vaginal flora during menopause when the level of estrogen falls, thus loss of virginal protection (Pooler, 2011, p.67). Women are more likely to get infected by the UTIs than men since the bacteria easily reach their bladder because of the shortest distance the bacteria has to travel in the urethra. Besides, the location of the urethra near the rectum makes it easier for the bacteria from the anus to travel to the urethra causing infections. Sexual intercourse with the males increases the risk of UTIs among women as more bacteria are pushed into their urethra. Kidney UTIs are more common among expectant women as the pregnancy causes a lot of pressure to the ureters, thus causing hormonal changes (Foster, 2008, p.241). Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections which mainly affects the urinary tract systems of both sexes. The infection that occurs at the lower urinary tract parts is referred to as the cystitis; a bladder infection. On the other hand, the UTIs which only attack the upper urinary systems is popularly referred to as pyelonephiritis, a kidney infection (Pooler, 2011, p.45). About 80-85% of the UTIs are caused by E.coli while Staphylococcus  saprophyticus only causes 7% infections. The urinary tract organs which are most affected by this bacterial infection are urethra, kidney, bladder, and ureters. Though all parts of the urinary tract can be infected by UTIs, the urethra and bladder are the most commonly infected. The common symptoms and signs of UTIs are frequent urination and burns during urination. Other symptoms which are mainly common among the elderly population are: fatigue, blood infections, and change in mental status (Foster, 2008,

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Current Climate Change and Mitigation Research Paper

Current Climate Change and Mitigation - Research Paper Example Climate change is one of the greatest threats to modern civilization.   Earth is currently experiencing a rapid increase in mean temperature.   The global scope of this phenomenon makes it particularly challenging because efforts to address the problem require cooperation between many different nations and international corporations.   Add to this the disagreements over the veracity of the problem and the mechanisms causing our planet to warm, and what you will find is a very dangerous situation with no easy remedies. Earth’s climate is a changeable climate.   We know through studying dendrochronology, ice core samples, mud core samples and historical records that the earth has gone through many cyclical changes in climate over the millennia. As little as 1000 years ago, the earth experienced a period of rapid warming known as the Medieval Warming Period. Northern locations, such as the southern regions of Greenland became inhabitable and were colonized by Viking settlers. A mere 200 years ago saw the northern hemisphere experience a climate anomaly known as the Little Ice Age. European glacial ice advanced down mountainsides, growing seasons shortened and crops failed. What caused these most recent episodes of climate change? That question is an important one because its answer is at the heart of the current debate surrounding the veracity of our current heating. Many complex systems help to regulate earth’s temperature. The circulation of warm waters from the equator towards the pole and cold water from cold to warm helps to evenly distribute heat in the northern and southern hemispheres. Changes in this thermohaline circulation have been linked to periods of cooling on earth. The amount of aerosols emitted from volcanic activity is also a factor that determines world climate. Other determinants involve the changing degree of axial tilt of the earth and the variable distance between the earth and the sun caused by an ever-changing (albeit slowly) orbit around the sun.  Ã‚  

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

John C. Calhoun 1782- 1850 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

John C. Calhoun 1782- 1850 - Research Paper Example The Political Life of John Calhoun and his Pro-Slavery Stance John Caldwell Calhoun was in American politics for 40 years. Wilson, in the introduction to Coit (1977, page vii, ) tells reader how ,together with Daniel Webster and Henry Clay , he made up the Great Triumvirate which was such a strong force in American politics for his whole career. Henry Clay was seen by President Andrew Jackson as being politically untrustworthy. He thought of him as being opportunistic and over - ambitious , even self-serving. Jackson would beat Clay to the presidency 1832. Jackson also established a political rivalry with a second member of the Triumvirate, his chosen Vice-President, John C. Calhoun, and eventually leading to the vice-president’s resignation. His antagonism to Calhoun was not based upon purely political rivalry. According to ‘The Age of Jackson , ( 2013) Jackson's animosity feelings were exacerbated by the Mrs. Calhoun's treatment socially of the wife of John Eaton, Secr etary of War in Jackson’s cabinet.. As well as being a leading politician Calhoun was also very much part of the life of the southern American states, a society which was at that time based economically and socially upon slavery. Rehuse ( 2002) describes slavery as defining â€Å" Southern social, political, and cultural life.† Calhoun’s ideas on the topic of slavery had two main aspects . Firstly he felt that the political rights of the minority southern states required special protection within the federal union. The second part of his argument, a topic on which he frequently expounded his views, was the now highly controversial argument that presented slavery as being an institution that benefited everyone involved – both black and white. He seem s to have honestly believed that black people were better off as slaves in America than when living free in Africa. Although he was never elected as President his career as a politician distinguished Calhoun a s a revered statesman in his day. On the other hand some saw him as its greatest villain (Wilson in Coit, 1977, page viii). Born in Virginia as the third son in his family, he was raised in South Carolina, as the son of a farmer and Indian fighter, his father having emigrated from Ireland. Calhoun was brought up as a Calvinist, which suited his tendency to have a rather bleak view of mankind (Ulbrich, 2013). He felt that life was a continuous fight against evil forces ( Coit, 1977, page 2,) He would later become a Unitarian and a graduate of Yale University. After training as a lawyer, he was admitted to the bar in 1808. He worked for a short time as both lawyer and as a farmer, and he was elected as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1808 ( University of Virginia, 2013). Calhoun had grown up during a time of great expansion in the cotton trade, an industry based upon slave labor. He was elected to Congress, and served both in the House and Senate. He was a s upporter of President James Madison's attempts to declare war on Britain in 1812, having advocated this as early as 1807 ( Bio True Story, 2013) . He also served as a member of the cabinet, under President James Monroe. He served as secretary of war from 1817 to 1825, covering the whole time that Monroe held the presidency. It was a task he seems to have carried out with great success, Rehuse ( 2002) quotes a federal officer as having said of him

Monday, September 23, 2019

Engaging parents and fathers in their children's early learning Essay

Engaging parents and fathers in their children's early learning - Essay Example For instance, the ministries and departments of education and child welfare have been in the forefront of funding projects that gather, assess, and analyze existing knowledge and best practices that would encourage other educational and learning stakeholders to work with and involve parents in young children’s learning (Desforges, 2003). This paper explores the subject of involving parents, more so fathers in children’s early learning. Many educationists concur that the importance of parental involvement in children’s early learning cannot be overemphasized. The first reason for this assertion is that parents are children’s first and most enduring educators. Thus, by working together with other child welfare and development practitioners, parents play a rather critical role in and have a positive impact on their children’s early learning and development. This positive impact of parental involvement stems from the fact that the time and activities shared among parents and children not only affect the children’s social and intellectual development but also their emotional development (Desforges, 2003). It is therefore imperative that parents understand that children’s early learning requires more than just being parents but requires them to take an active role in the children’s early learning. There are several parental factors infringing on or affecting a children’s early learning. These factors include parents’ socioeconomic status, education level and living conditions, which have direct bearing on a child’s early learning activities and outcomes. Nonetheless, more important than the above factors is the quality of a child’s home learning environment. Although parents may not have achieved a lot educationally and might be living in disadvantaged environment and circumstance, their regular engagement in their children’s early learning activities has

Sunday, September 22, 2019

The Battle of Britain Essay Example for Free

The Battle of Britain Essay ‘Never the Master, Always the Servant. ’ How Accurate is this Statement in Regard to Wolsey’s Conduct of Foreign Policy 1513-29? â€Å"Had I but served God as diligently as I have served the King, he would not have given me over in my grey hairs. † Cardinal Wolsey c. 1472-1530 Here Wolsey himself professed his obedience to Henry VIII, but historians of the previous century and a half claimed that between 1513 and 1529 foreign policy was governed entirely by Wolsey, some suggesting that Henry gave only perfunctory approval to his decrees. Modern historians dispute this, the king’s aspirations and decisions being of fundamental importance. The matter remains unsettled however, regarding the extent of Wolsey’s influence and manipulation. Contemporaries argued that Wolsey was effectual ruler, â€Å"Alter Rex† during particularly the mid 1520s, his palatial home eclipsing Henry’s in political importance. Wolsey was clearly very cunning; he won Henry’s favour by shrewdly encouraging him to enjoy leisure activities and leave the mundane politicking to him – exploiting the mistakes of his predecessors. Cavendish declares, â€Å"Thus the almoner ruled all those that ruled before him†. However, Wolseys desperation to gain Henry’s esteem is evidence merely of the need for Henry’s approval – as Wolsey clearly appreciated. Henry intervened less in politics before 1529 than he did afterwards, but as Peter Gwyn recognises; this was only due to his sincere satisfaction and comprehension of Wolseys loyalty. From 1512 Wolsey climbed the political ladder very swiftly; utilising the opportunity of the French invasion to exceed Henry’s expectations and impress the king with prizes in Tournai and Therouanne. By mid 1514 Wolsey was receiving all the king’s important business affairs, and exploiting Henry’s need for an authoritative chief servant fully Wolsey admittedly used his persuasion to gain himself numerous offices – Dean of Lincoln, Bishop of Tournai, Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of York. Although Warham still held the most senior church office, as Archbishop of Canterbury, Wolsey had won himself Lord Chancellorship by 1518, making him head of the legal system. However Wolseys ascendancy was resultant from Henry’s appreciation of his talents, by the time of the treaty of St. Germaine-en-Laye with France in 1514 Randell recognises Henry’s apparent disinterest with routine diplomacy, â€Å"He was still keen to win glory, but was content for someone else to arrange it for him. † His connections with the Papal authorities brought about suspicion that he had tied England to Roman foreign policy, such as Pollard’s insinuation that Wolsey considered his duty to his spiritual master over that over the king – In 1518 he was appointed ‘Legatus a latere’, a position he was guaranteed for life in 1524. Scarisbrick however discredits Papal loyalty, acknowledging Wolseys disregard for Papal instruction as frequently as it was adhered to. Although England and the papacy had common interests, it was merely coincidental for the Pope’s wishes to be followed, and the king himself had the same attitude to Wolsey towards the pope. Henry wanted to become ‘Defender of the Faith’ and did so, in 1521, and there is more proof that it was he who encouraged Wolsey to pursue the office of Pope than vice versa. As Palmer asserts, â€Å"Wolsey was no more or less a servant of the Papacy than Henry himself. † Wosley required the position of ‘Prince of the Church’ (gained 1515) because he had not won such approval from the Papcy as he had from his royal master. He did not wish to rival Henry’s authority by becoming ‘Prince of the State’ because he was assured of Henry’s support. Although Wolsey bragged of being â€Å"author of the peace† at the Treaty of London in 1518, and despite evidence for him formulating his own policies by 1517; as Gwyn defends – he was winning glory for his master. Scarisbrick recognises Wolseys desire to become arbiter of Europe, but his dependence upon Henry is undeniable. As Randell recognises, Wolsey often hid things from Henry and considered ways in which he could put things to him in order to provoke a desired response, to push contenders away and get away with more than he officially should. Vergil even suggested that Wolsey bribed Henry with gifts to distract him whilst he was making demands and to gain further favour. All these efforts, however, merely emphasize Wolseys dependence upon the king and his desperation to maintain his support. Randell suggests that Wolsey made independent decisions – often trivial but sometimes-major ones, but Henry could and sometimes did intervene. Wolsey always needed to appear to be implementing Henry’s decisions even if it was not always strictly the case. Skelton and Palsgrave, authors of articles in the House of Lords December 1929 attacked Wolseys arrogance and misrule during parliament and regarding matters of foreign policy, alleging he bestowed himself excess authority and wrongfully excluded other councillors from attending court, but evidence suggests that they were pursuing a ruthless campaign to get him dismissed. Although, as Guy points out, up until 1927 â€Å"more than the details were left to Wolsey† Henry was nevertheless broadly responsible throughout all matters of foreign policy. Wolsey may have organised much of the minor details, such as the essential transport arrangements and food supplies during invasions, but it was under Henry’s direction and command. The king would instruct Wolsey and provide details of the task, which Wolsey undeniably fulfilled exceptionally and often made fitting amendments to Henry’s broader schemes. Henry’s certain dominance was clear throughout a number of issues. In 1518 Henry backed the Holy Roman Emperor despite Wolseys disproval and efforts to persuade him oppositely. Scarisbrick identifies disparagement between Henry and Wolsey throughout the events of 1520 and 1521; the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520 was extremely expensive and Wolsey discouraged Henry from spending such vast amounts of money on what he anticipated to be a political fiasco, yet the event went ahead with no expenses spared – regardless of Wolseys advice. In 1521 Wolsey wanted peace in contrast to Henry’s desire for warfare, but Wolsey was made to journey around Europe; negotiating with Charles in Bruges that England and Spain should ally against France, and then returning to Calais. His consolation being that war would be delayed until 1522 – but Henry’s leadership is clear, the attack was still launched and Wolsey left disregarded once more. As Gwyn appreciates, Wolsey realised the importance of bringing honour to his master through dominating affairs – which his desired neutrality would not bring. Wolsey deceived France against his own wishes to preserve Henry’s major international role. In 1525 the Battle of Pavia saw the capture of King Francis and the strengthening of Henrys desire to become Imperial Ruler. Wolsey was then unable to act as an Imperial Arbitrator, Henry VIII wanted an Imperial Alliance and Wolsey was forced to attempt the Amicable Grant for Henry to invade France, but this was impossible and in August the Treaty of the More was signed after the French war. The reversal was extremely embarrassing for Wolsey, who went through humiliation and dispute to please Henry VIII, eventually gaining an annual pension of 100000 gold crowns. Historian Dana Scott Campbell understands Wolsey as being motivated to tread the path necessary to ensure personal advancement and power in England. By satisfying Henry VIII with international glory and prestige his support was ensured; although his power was enhanced by the Papal authorities, Roman influence was limited – his self interest, over all else, forced him to please Henry primarily and the Pope if possible. He acted with more alacrity for Henry, and with more determination, joining the Anti-Imperial League of Cognac in 1526 and declaring war two years later. The Treaty of Cambrai in 1529 was a desperate attempt by Wolsey to retain Henry’s partiality, and was signed by the leaders of England, France and the Holy Roman Empire. Wolsey underwent mortification and infringement of his own desires in order to please his King, both in the matters which he may have seem to control and in those which were quite obviously of Henry’s design. Whether due to arrogance and untamed ambition or merely a desire to satisfy the King – Wolsey routinely aimed to please him in all aspects of foreign policy. Grossel appreciates Wolseys desire to serve the king; convictions in Wolseys vanity are now outdated as Wolsey clearly wanted to maintain the honour and influence of his own position through that of his king. Henry’s absolute dominance is evidenced by the impossibility of Wolsey sustaining esteem as European Arbitrator because of Henry’s belligerence (as well as the treachery of the European Kings). His independent decisions occurred only when permitted, or occasionally unknown, by Henry. Wolseys position was secured for the most part because of Henry’s satisfaction with his conduct – had it not been so (as in later years) Wolsey would have been rapidly dismissed. However, Randell recognises that the evidence for both supporting and admonishing Wolseys loyalty is in the form of letters written only to deceive the recipients, disparate word of mouth and untrustworthy third parties – all of it unreliable.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Rehabilitation in Prisons Does it Really Work

Rehabilitation in Prisons Does it Really Work There are many issues that have plagued the criminal justice system for decades. However, the issues of the past are much the same as the issues we are dealing with today. Some of the issues we are currently facing are drugs, the overcrowding of jails and prisons, organized crime, juvenile justice, youth violence, adult probation, parole, re-entry, prison, over-criminalization, and many more. Drug-related offenses have been steadily increasing and reaching record highs for the past few years. In 2006, the United States arrested approximately 1.89 million people for drug-related offenses, up from 581,000 in 1980, (Priority Issues: Substance Abuse, para. 1). Many people arrested for drug-related offenses were incarcerated for non-violent crimes, even though they were not direct threats to society. Incarcerating these offenders seemed to be the best way to insure that they stopped using drugs. Citizens of the United States have the right to question whether or not we are accomplishing that goal through incarceration. One of the major issues in the juvenile justice system is juveniles being tried as adults. Some people think that juveniles are tried as adults because of the nature of the crime, while others feel that juveniles are not mentally and emotionally developed enough to fully understand the impact of their actions, nor how they will affect victims and families. There are also concerns about the lack of intervention methods to help the troubled youths in our communities. Some of these trouble youths simply slip through the cracks and end up in the criminal justice system for the rest of their lives, even though a lot of them could have been saved from a life of crime if there had been intervention methods available to them during important stages of their lives. The need for probation for nonviolent offenders is something of an issue. Low-risk and first-time nonviolent offenders are taken away from their families, jobs, and communities and placed in the prison system, which may do them more harm than good. When these types of offenders are placed into the correctional system, they are surrounded by dangerous offenders whom have the opportunity to transform them into career criminals. They are also unable to pay restitution to their victims while they are incarcerated. When spending taxpayer money on criminal justice, it is counterproductive and wasteful to enact policies that create more criminals, rather than enacting policies that reduce the incidence of crime, (Priority Issues: Adult Probation, para. 1). Probation gives an alternative to prison for some low-risk and nonviolent offenders. It is pointless to take offenders off the streets and not think how the prison system will affect their return to society. The most profound issue is one that has been considered off-limits to a reform: prisons. In June 2006, the Commission on Safety and Abuse in Americas Prisons found that at any given time there are more than two million people incarcerated. Over the course of a year, 13.5 million people spend time in jail or prison, and 95% of them eventually return to our communities, (Summary of Findings and Recommendations, pg. 1). It costs the United States more than $60 billion a year to incarcerate offenders, many of which are re-offenders. Offenders should be adequately rehabilitated while in prison in order for them to become productive members of society, to reduce recidivism rates, to reduce costs, and to enhance the safety of communities. Prisons play a critical role in society. In many cases-particularly cases of violent crime-the best way to handle criminal behavior is to incapacitate criminals by incarcerating them, (Priority Issues: Prisons, para. 1). In 2009, there were 760,400 people incarcerated in jails and 1,524,513 people in prisons in the United States. For these more than two million inmates, life can be terrifying and difficult. Some of our jails and prisons are unsafe, unhealthy, unproductive, inhumane and quickly unraveling. Some prisons are overrun with gang violence and extremely overcrowded. Many inmates have to deal with the harsh conditions of prisoner rape, gang violence, excessive force used by corrections officers, contagious diseases, and much more. It is estimated that one out of every 100 adults in the United States are guests of jails and prisons, a total population of about 2.3 million people. Although the United States accounts for only 5% of the worlds total population, American prisons house 25% of the worlds prison population, (A Hard Look, para. 2). Take Indianas prison population for example. Between 2000 and 2010, the prison population increased 47 percent from 19,309 to 28,389. Due to this increase, spending on corrections also increased 37 percent from $495 million to $679 million. The increase in the prison population is nothing new. Over the past 25 years, the war on drugs has caused the prison population to increase tremendously. Based on current estimations, there will not be a change in the number of inmates this year. SCRAMx estimates that there will be a 13 percent increase in the prison population, costing American taxpayers and state and local budgets approximately $27.5 billion. Incarceration is not an equal opportunity punishment, as many people may believe. Many inmates come from disadvantage backgrounds, most do not have a high school diploma, and some can barely even read. Only a portion was actually employed before they went to prison, and some made less than $5,000 a year (Prison Facts, para. 4). As of June 30, 2009, there were 1,309,668 men incarcerated in state prisons; 693,800 were white men, 841,000 were black men, and 442,000 were Hispanic men. Black men only represent about six percent of the American population, but they represent over 40 percent of the American prison population. Black non-Hispanic males, with an incarceration rate of 4,749 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents, were incarcerated at a rate more than six times higher than white non-Hispanic males (708 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents) and 2.6 times higher than Hispanic males (1,822 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents), (Prison Inmates at Midyear 2009-Statistical Tables, pg. 2). Bl ack men between the ages of 30 and 34 had the highest incarceration rate of any age, gender group, or race. In June 2009, there were 101,233 women in state prisons. There were 92,100 white women, 64,800 black women, and 32,300 Hispanic women incarcerated in state facilities. There were also 94,498 non-U.S. citizens in state and federal facilities and another 2,778 inmates under the age of 18 in state prisons. Health care in some U.S. prisons leaves something to be desired. Of the roughly two million state inmates, nearly half suffer from a chronic illness that requires some type of medical treatment, such as diabetes, hypertension, a previous heart attack, or a previously diagnosed cancer. Compared to non-incarcerated citizens, inmates in state jails we 31% more likely to have asthma, 55% more likely to have diabetes, and 90% more likely to have suffered a heart attack, (Many in U.S. Prisons Lack Good Health Care, para. 1). In 2007, there were approximately 3,388 prisoners who died while incarcerated. Of that, 2,860 of those died from illnesses, 120 died from AIDS, 214 committed suicide, 57 were killed, 41 died from drug and alcohol intoxication, 28 died accidently, and 68 died from unknown causes. (See Table 1.) Source: Data from Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 7 February 2011 Prison health care in California was so lacking that in May 2005, a federal judge threatened a takeover of their health care system. Judge Thelton E. Henderson cited the terrible medical treatment inmates received from bad doctors in miserable facilities. He also found that the management of HIV patients was irresponsible. Judge Henderson came to the conclusion that the lack of proper medical attention, bad doctors and facilities, and the mismanagement of HIV patients all contributed to inmate deaths, (Federal Judge Threatens Takeover of CA Prison Health Care System, para. 1). According to the Eighth Amendment concerning cruel and unusual punishment, prisoners have a constitutional right to receive proper health care. Considering the fact that incarceration is so costly, it is alarming that we do not ensure that inmates receive the basic care that would aid in their rehabilitation. According to the Indiana State Constitution, the penal code shall be founded on the principles of reformation, and not of vindictive justice, (Top 10 Department Fact, para. ____). The state of Indiana is required to provide medical and dental treatment to inmates. There is no reason why health care in prison should suffer, especially if proper health care could help reduce recidivism rates. For much of the last 30 years, overcrowding has been a major problem in our prison system. Federal and state prisons and county jails are reaching near-disastrous levels of being over their capacity because we have tried for so many years to incarcerate our way out of crime. However, operating budgets and funding for new facilities have both been greatly reduced, and over the next few years it will more than likely get worse. On October 5, 2006, because of the overcrowded prisons in California, Governor Schwarzenegger issued an emergency proclamation to allow the transfer of inmates to other states to ease their burden. This emergency transfer of inmates did not ease enough of their burden considering that the prisons were still 70 percent over capacity at the end of 2006. In order to relieve more stress on the prisons, Governor Schwarzenegger announced another plan to release some of the nonviolent criminal early in February 2007. By April of 2007, California legislators approved a program to construct new facilities, costing the state another $8.3 billion. The cost of housing and caring for the more than two million jail and prison inmates has quadrupled over the last ten years. Most states even spend more money on jails and prisons than they do on education. Over the course of the last 20 years, the amount of money spent on prisons was increased by 570% while that spent on elementary and secondary education was increased by only 33%, (Prison Facts, para. 8). We spend upwards of $60 billion a year to house our prisoners, which exceeds any other nation, but we do not receive much of a return on that investment when you take into consideration the crime and recidivism rates. Despite the emphasis put on people in America to seek counseling when they need it, rehabilitation in our jails and prisons has failed dramatically. Rehabilitation is a programmed effort to alter the attitudes and behaviors of inmates and improve their likelihood of becoming law-abiding citizens, (Seiter, pg. 32). Rehabilitation programs in the prison system are important to both recidivism and an offenders re-entry into society. When an offender enters a county jail, the Sheriffs Department uses a special system to classify inmates and assign them to a certain area of the jail. They are classified based on their age, gender, frequency and type of offense, their health and mental state, and sexual orientation. Once an inmate is assigned to their cell, they are assigned to rehabilitation programs, if any are available. Inmate rehabilitation and treatment programs are few and far between in county facilities. County facilities only provide rehabilitation opportunities to a selected few inmates. A general questionnaire distributed to Texas county sheriffs or their administrators indicated that larger jails were more likely to have both inmate education and substance abuse treatment programs than smaller jails, (The Rehabilitation Dilemma in Texas County Jails, pg. 1). There were not many facilities that reported having comprehensive or sophisticated programs, and many reported having no programs at all. The entry process for state inmates is much the same as for county jail inmates. Prison inmates are assessed in a Reception Diagnostic Center where they are scored on the Classification Designation Instrument. Points are assessed according to length of sentence, seriousness of offense, violence in the offense, escape histories, substance abuse problems, conduct while incarcerated, etc, (Top 10 Department Facts, para. 11). Once these points have been assessed, a score is calculated to determine of the inmate should be housed in a minimum, medium, or maximum security facility. The score is then compared to security level criteria of the prisons to ensure the inmate is housed in the correct facility. For example, sex and violent offenders are not eligible to be placed into minimum security prisons; therefore, they would be placed into medium or maximum security facilities based on their scores. According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics Report in Corrections Digest (2001), only 40% of the nations jails and prisons offer drug rehabilitation programs, (The Rehabilitation Dilemma in Texas County Jails, pg. 1). This report also suggests that only about half of the inmates receive drug treatment even though nearly 75 percent have substance abuse problems. The state of Indiana is one state that offers many rehabilitation programs to their inmates, such as substance abuse programs, vocational programs, educational programs, housing programs, family improvement programs, and humanitarian programs. By focusing on character, education, family, housing, employment, and health, the corrections department is able to break down the barriers of re-entry and still be able to promote public safety. These programs focus on reducing recidivism, rehabilitation, and re-entry into our communities. The Indiana Department of Corrections offers substance abuse programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Crystal Meth Anonymous, Clean Lifestyle is Freedom Forever (CLIFF), Outpatient Substance Abuse Program, and Therapeutic Communities (TC). Of these substance abuse programs, Clean Lifestyle is Freedom Forever and Therapeutic Communities have demonstrated a positive impact on recidivism rates which are almost half that of the states overall recidivism rate for the inmates who successfully complete the programs. Clean Lifestyle is Freedom Forever (CLIFF) is designed for inmates whose lives have been impaired by the use of methamphetamines. The programs lasts a minimum of eight months, 12 to 15 hours a day of behavioral counseling. It helps them to overcome their addiction, build social skills that are accepted in society, and job interviewing skills. Therapeutic Communities (TC) is designed for inmates who have severe drug addictions. The format of Therapeutic Communities is much the same as the CLIFF program. Both CLIFF and TC programs also work on inmates personal and peer relationship skills in their recovery process. In order to prepare inmates for successful re-entry into society, Indiana Department of Correction also offers many educational programs. The Department found that approximately 34 percent of inmates are functionally illiterate. In the 2008/2009 school year, 4,658 inmates enrolled in the Literacy Education program. Of those, 1,264 demonstrated a sixth grade literacy level at the end of the school year. GED instruction is also offered to inmates. During the 2008/2009 school year, 4,658 inmates also enrolled in GED programs with 1,660 inmates successfully completed the program. If inmates decide to further their education and obtain a college degree, Indiana has a partnership with six colleges and universities that offer on-site education. Each year there are about 1,000 inmates that receive their associate and bachelor degrees. However, it is up to the inmates to pay for their college education. The Indiana Department of Correction has also partnered with the Department of Labor to create Registered Apprenticeship programs to train inmates in industries such as construction, manufacturing, health care, electric, information technology, and telecommunications. This program connects qualified inmates with employers looking for qualified employees. This supports their re-entry into the community and can help them overcome the obstacles encountered by ex-offenders seeking employment, (Programs, para. 4). There are also Vocational Education programs, ranging from auto body to welding, that are available to inmates. There were 4,237 inmates who enrolled in Vocational Education programs and 2,133 received recognized certifications during the 2008/2009 school year. In order to enhance the relationship between inmates and their families, Department of Correction offers two programs, The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) and the Responsible Fatherhood Program. PREP encourages inmates to maintain and strengthen their relationship with their families. The Responsible Fatherhood Program provides inmates with the skills to be better fathers. This programs utilizes materials from the National Fatherhood Initiative, 24/7 Dad, and Inside Out Dad to give offenders the skills they need to be better role models for their children. Indiana Department of Correction also offers a multitude of different humanitarian programs. The dog, cat, and horse rescue programs take hard to adopt dogs and cats from local animal shelters and work with them to become adoptable. The Thoroughbred Horse Retirement program rescues retired race horses from needless abuse and slaughter. Inmates involved in the Indiana Canine Assistant program train assistance dogs for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Shifting Gears refurbishes bicycles for children and adults in need of transportation, and Wheels for the World restores donated wheelchairs and other rehabilitation equipment to be shipped overseas for disabled people. These programs teach the inmates how to work together, gives them skills to use when they get out of prison, and gives them a sense of pride for doing something to positively contribute to the community. The Department also offers a faith-based program, Purposeful Living Units Serve (PLUS) Program. The PLUS Program is a faith- and character-based community that encourages offenders to choose alternatives to criminal thinking and behavior by providing a focus on spiritual and character development, life-skills training, community service, and intentional preparation for living as law-abiding citizens, (Programs, para. 13). The rehabilitation programs in state prisons focus on important areas of character, education, employment, health, and family. However, the road to re-entry does not end there. Prior to an inmates release, there are quite a few steps that need to be taken to improve their chances at succeeding in society. Most prisons offer programs to soon-to-be-released inmates, such as housing programs, health services programs, and workforce programs, to name a few. Some prisons have partnered with state and county departments such as Family and Social Services, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Department of Workforce Development, Housing and Community Development Authority, Legal Services, State Department of Health, and the Social Security Administration to help inmates have a smoother transition into society. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles issues state identification cards to inmates prior to their release. Family and Social Services helps inmates apply for Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) so that they have access to medical care, food, and a little money to start their new life. The Department of Workforce Development aids inmates in finding employment. The Housing and Community Development Authority in Indiana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement a program to provide rental subsidies to selected parolees in certain counties. Legal Services provide some legal assistance to inmates for suspende d drivers licenses and child support and the Social Security Administration helps inmates apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). When it comes to people in the correctional system, society fears those who escape from prison and those who are released from prison. Even though the idea of an escaped prisoner is terrifying, we all know that law enforcement will have them back in prison before long. However, released inmates can be even more terrifying. They live among us, drive among us, and work with us. Of the thousands of inmates released from state and local facilities each year, approximately 67 percent will re-offend, be arrested again, and get put back in prison. That fact alone is terrifying. Indiana Department of Correction defines recidivism as an offender who is re-incarcerated within three years of being released from prison. There are quite a few theories floating around as to why ex-offenders recidivate. One theory is being labeled as a convict. A person being known as a convict, or even as an ex-convict, makes gaining employment extremely difficult, especially for those who are actually trying to straighten out their lives. If an ex-convict is unable to find employment, they have no money and end up resorting to criminal activity in order to survive. Another theory is that some ex-convicts needed certain rehabilitation programs, but the programs were unavailable to them. Some ex-convicts believe that if they had received the assistance they needed while incarcerated, they would not have recidivated. Based on the most current published data collected from a 1994 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 70.7 percent of released offenders were arrested within three years of being released for committing a new crime, 45 percent were taken to court within two years of their release for committing a new crime, 23 percent were convicted of a new crime within a year of their release, 8.6 percent were put back in prison for a conviction of a new crime within six months, and 27.3 percent were convicted and re-incarcerated for a new crime within three years. (See Figure 1.) Figure 1. Prisoner Recidivism Source: Date from Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Prisoner Recidivism Analysis, 7 February 2011 Prison Reformation Plan The reformation of our prison system is a must if we want to reduce crime and costs, properly rehabilitate offenders, and protect our communities. There are many people in the United States who feel that the prison system puts too much focus on punishment and not enough emphasis on rehabilitation and preparing inmates for re-entry into society. Violence, overcrowding, poor medical and mental health care, and numerous other issues have plagued the jails and prisons in the United States. In order to alleviate some of the problems in the prison system, a few changes are going to have to be made. All states need to have some version of the Three-Strikes Law. The Three-Strike law significantly increases the prison sentences of persons convicted of felonies who have been previously convicted of a violent or serious felony, and limits the ability of these offenders to receive a punishment other than a prison sentence, (The Three-Strikes and Youre Out Law, para. 3). One thing to remember is that all Three-Strikes cases require that the offender has had two previous serious or violent convictions. The prosecutor is also required to file the offenders prior offenses along with the new charges. Judges and prosecutors do have the ability to strike previous offenses in cases that they think the offender is worthy. In most cases, a third strike is 25 years to life, not life in prison without the possibility of parole. As of 1996, there were 24 states with the Three-Strikes Law in affect. In California, the Three-Strikes Law was passed in 1994. A study was done by the California Department of Justice and the California Department of Corrections comparing crime rates ten years before the Three-Strikes Law and ten years after. From 1985 to 1993, there were approximately 8,825,353 crimes committed in California. From 1994 to 2002, there were only 6,780,964 crimes committed. To put the facts into a better perspective, from 1994 to 1996, California had 6,738 less murders; 230,337 less robberies; 1,283,088 less burglaries; 18,571 less rapes; and 101,379 less assaults. This added up to a savings of approximately $28.5 billion in California (A Decade of Difference, pg. 3). Inmates need to be required to have medical insurance prior to their release. Inmates need to be required to show proof of medical insurance to the Department of Corrections before they are released from prison. Some states, like Indiana, have partnered with Family and Social Services to help inmates apply for Medicaid. Many people believe that ex-convicts have a better chance of not recidivating if they have access to proper medical care. Inmates need to have adequate health care in prison. Inmates need to know how to properly take care of their health and the first step to that is good medical treatment while incarcerated. Even small improvements in medical care could help reduce recidivism rates. Even though we can legally deprive inmates of their liberty, we cannot allow them to be neglected the medical care they need. Theres some alarming data that suggests that those inmates with chronic conditions dont get the care they need when incarcerated and thats 8th Amendment illegal, (Many in U.S. Prisons Lack Good Health Care, para. 15). There needs to be an education requirement for all inmates. In order for an inmate to gain employment after their release, they need to have some type of an education. Research has found that released offenders who are employed with sustainable wages are less likely to end up back in the prison system. Whether it be their GED, high school diploma, or a vocational certification, it will help them transition into the community easier and they will be productive members of society. Low-level drug addicts need mandatory drug rehabilitation. Instead of sentencing low-level drug addicts to prison, they need to be given a choice between a prison sentence or a mandatory inpatient drug rehabilitation program, and, after successful completion, they should be put on parole for the remainder of their original sentence. Even if they choose prison over rehabilitation, they would still receive substance abuse treatment, the only difference would be they would be in prison instead of out on parole. If Indiana took 100 low-level drug addicts out of prison and gave them inpatient substance abuse treatment, such as the Clean Lifestyle is Freedom Forever or Therapeutic Communities programs, the state would save almost $2 million a year on prison costs. Judges need to have the flexibility to give shorter sentences to nonviolent offenders. Judges need to have the authority to give nonviolent offenders probation instead of a jail or a prison sentence. It costs an average of $80 per day to incarcerate an offender; however, it only costs about $3.50 per day for them to be on probation. Several states have already shown that it is possible to cut these costs and keep the public safe by keeping nonviolent offenders out of jails and prisons. States need to offer incentives to counties for them to handle nonviolent offenders at the county level instead of sending them into the prison system, which costs much more. States also need to eliminate their minimum sentencing laws for nonviolent crimes. These laws remove all discretion from judges who are the most intimately familiar with the facts of a case and who are well-positioned to know which defendants need to be in prison because they threaten public safety and which defendants would in fact not benefit from prison time, (Priority Issues: Prisons, para. 8). States need to have geriatric release programs. There are approximately 200,000 inmates who are over 50 years old. The cost of keeping them in prison is high because they are in need of more medical treatment due to old age. Prisons are effectively turning into nursing homes for all of these older inmates, all paid for by the taxpayers. Rehabilitation Programs in Prisons. Most prisons have an abundance of rehabilitation programs available to inmates. Instead of prisons spending money to keep programs running that do not have a positive effect on inmate rehabilitation and recidivism rates, states should shut down those programs. By shutting down those programs, prisons can use that money to expand successful programs so that more inmates can benefit from the programs. By doing this, hopefully more inmates will be rehabilitated, which will have a positive effect on recidivism rates. In order to reduce recidivism rates and costs, enhance public safety, and to produce productive members of society, offenders need to be adequately rehabilitated. There are very few county facilities that offer rehabilitation programs and only 40 percent of prisons offer rehabilitation programs to their inmates. Considering the increase in incarceration rates over the past ten years, it is amazing that the corrections system still punishes inmates instead of correcting their behavior. The high cost of prisons might be worth it to the taxpayers if the recidivism rates were much lower, but since almost half of the released prisoners are expected to be back behind bars within three years, it simply does not seem worth it. The medical care for inmates is questionable in American prisons. There are some prisons that outsource medical care to private companies, such as Correctional Medical Services. According to Wil S. Hylton, some of these private companies try to maximize their profits by giving minimal medical care to prisoners (Sick on the Inside, para. 10-11). An inmates medical care is an important part of their rehabilitation. They should be healthy and well taken care of while in prison so they can learn how to properly take care of themselves when they re-enter society. There are too many inmates suffering needless deaths because of a lack of adequate medical treatment. If the prison policies we have are not working even just 75 percent of the time and we know that there are better, more effective ways to rehabilitate, we need to change these policies. For example, crime rates have dropped in almost every state over the past seven years. Over the past seven years, Floridas incarceration rate has increased 16 percent, while New Yorks decreased 16 percent. Yet the crime rate in New York has fallen twice as much as Floridas, (Saving Money, Saving Lives, para. 11). Even though New York spent less on their prisons, their state had better public safety than Florida. Citizens in the United States need to know that we can change our prison system to save money and keep them safe at the same time. We all have a responsibility to create safe, productive, and humane correctional facilities. With so much at stake for our citizens health and safety, with so many people directly affected by the conditions in our prisons and jails, this is the moment to confront c onfinement in the United States, (Summary of Findings and Recommendations, pg. 7).