Guys,
Remember that you need to answer the questions that Dr. Johnson posted below for your blog due Thursday:
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DIRECTIONS:
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/hardtime/index.html
http://www.correctionsproject.com/prisonmaps/intropart_frame.htm
Log on to the web site above. Spend at least 30 minutes exploring EACH of the sites . Answer the following in your blog post:
1. How would you explain the disproportionate incarceration rate for minority groups generally, and black males specifically, in America today?
2. What are the effects, on communities, families, and individuals, of incarceration?
3. What should be done to address the challenges of incarceration faced by communities, families, and individuals?
4. As a member of the Siena Franciscan Community, and a Siena Bonner Service Leader, how can you be an ally to, and imagine working to address the challenges faced by, formerly incarcerated people at some point in your Siena career?
Explore Fully!
Think Deeply!
Write Freely!
Drj.
2 comments:
1. Unfortunately, in inner city areas poverty is high. There is a high concentration of minorites living in these places and they do not have the same access to opportunites as those in the upper and middle classes. To get by they have to resort to performing illegal activites such as drug dealing or joining a gang. To amny their lives seem so hopeless that breaking the law is the only logical choice. They are locked in a vicious cycle that society continues to perpetuate.
2. Incarcxeration does not only effect the individual who endures the punishment, but it also effects the family of that person and thier community. IN East Durham only 2 out of 200 families is headed by a married couple. Many families have ot live wihtout a father figure. Having a parent in the penal system only leads children to resort to crime. The indivudal is not only effected by being incarcerated, but their punishment continues once they leave prison. They come out with no formal job training or rehabilitation. They are expected to find a job and build a new life. For most this is almost impossible because of the negative way people see ex-convicts. This leads them to resort back to a life of crime.
3. Rehabilitation programming should beimplemented in all prisons in this country. Prisoners should not be physically and mentally abused because in the end that will only make them more bitter and want to resort back to crime. Thye should be trained in the neccessary skills they will need once they are released and need to find a job. As for the families and the communities, programs should be created to give children a safe place to hangout, but it should als educate them on how to live a life without crime. It should encourage them to pursue thier educations and give them the confidence they need in order ot succeed.
4. I would want to created a program in the Albany area such as the one mentioned above, but I would also want ot go around to the local school and educate them on the tough life that many ex-convicts are faced with when they are released from prison. I think it is extrmely important to shatter the stereotypes that many have of those who do a crime and have to serve the time.
1. Racial Disproportions
I do not believe that it is all racial profiling. Certainly there are numerous cases but it is something different. I think that it is more of a demographics issue. There is just a higher concentration of black males in large cities where the opportunities available to them are not as high due to the economic system. Basically, many African Americans do not have access to education growing up in poverty stricken areas which then leads to not being able to compete for a job and they would have to rely on other means to support their family.
2. Effecting Everyone
Incarceration does not just affect the individuals being incarcerated but everyone around them as well. A parent might be left alone to raise 4 kids because their spouse was incarcerated. Or a community might be pre-judged and steriotyped because of a number of incarcerations. A child might have to walk home alone from school in a dangerous neighborhood because their older brother/sister was incarcerated. These things are small but they do have a huge effect on the individuals that have relations to the incarcerated.
3. Addressing the Challenges
There should be many programs implemented to help the communities, families, and individuals of incarceration. maybe families can be given a little extra money that is lost by having a worker be incarcerated. or maybe a business in the community would be able to hire the incarcerated individuals after they get out.
4. My Part
I believe I would be able to work something out with formerly incarcerated people with my work at the Franciscan Center. Maybe we can hold a job training session for them or networking session to get them ready to go out into the job market even though they were incarcerated. Also, they have powerful stories. Maybe a few of them could give a talk around schools and communities to give their story.
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