Indeterminate Sentencing System

Punishment in the United States Corrections System
Francisco Martinez
CJA/234
November 7, 2014
Yolonda Johnson
Punishment in the United States Corrections System
Punishment in the United States is always evolving, always changing to meet the different demands of our society. A unique aspect of our society is that we, as members of society, deem what is socially acceptable and what the punishment should be for those who violate our rules. In this paper, we will be discussing the different objectives of punishment at the state and federal level. We will also explain how sentencing affects the state and federal corrections systems overall. Lastly, we will define determinate sentencing, indeterminate sentencing and which sentencing model
Determinate sentencing is "a jail or prison sentence that is definite and not subject to review by a parole board or other agency. For example, a sentence of six months in the county jail is determinate, because the prisoner will spend no more than six months (minus time off for good behavior, in some situations). By contrast, an indeterminate sentence (such as 20 years to life) has a minimum term but the release date, if any, will be chosen by a parole board as it periodically reviews the case” (Legal Information Institute, N/A). On a personal level, I agree more with a determinate sentencing model rather than an indeterminate sentencing model. I choose this because the types of crimes do not change why do the sentencing models? Homicide is still homicide no matter if the offender has committed this crime ten times or just once. I believe this is a greater deterrent to future crimes when our society imposes strict punishments for crimes committed. I lean more to determinate sentencing because as a correctional officer I have seen firsthand how inmates skirt the system and essentially get away with very little time instead of receiving harsher sentences. This is simply not satisfactory to me, and I do not agree with indeterminate
In this paper, we have defined state and federal objectives of punishment. We have also discussed the overall effects sentencing has on the corrections system. Lastly, we have defined determinate and indeterminate sentencing and which model I prefer. Our corrections system is under constant strain and always evolving. We as a society are losing the battle against the criminal element within our ranks. We glamorize crime, and our young generation is manipulated to believe this is the norm. We need to take back our communities and begin to change this trend, or we will lose our communities