Explain the concept of "good time" and truth in sentencing
What will be an ideal response?
• Often, the amount of time prescribed by a judge bears little relation to the amount of time the offender actually spends behind bars. In states with indeterminate sentencing, parole boards have broad powers to release prisoners once they have served the minimum portion of their sentence. Furthermore, all but four states offer prisoners the opportunity to reduce their sentences by doing "good time"—or behaving well—as determined by prison administrators. Sentence-reduction programs promote discipline within a correctional institution and reduce overcrowding; therefore, many prison officials welcome them.
• The public, however, may react negatively to news that a violent criminal has served a shorter term than ordered by a judge and pressure elected officials to "do something.". Under pressure from victims' groups, some state legislatures have passed a truth-in- sentencing law that requires murderers and others convicted of serious crimes to complete at least 85 percent of their sentences with no time off for good behavior. As their name suggests, the primary goal of these laws is to provide the public with more accurate information about the actual amount of time an offender will spend behind bars.
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There is a difference between power and authority. Which statement below best describes the relationship and/or difference between power and authority?
a. All supervisors have power and authority. b. Supervisors gain authority from the people they supervise and power from those who promoted him or her. c. Some supervisors develop their talent for leading others and thus gain a significantly enhanced influence, authority and power. d. All supervisors lead others and thus significantly influence others, which automatically creates a greatly enhanced combination of authority and power. e. All are correct
Behavior that is outside the range of normal societal toleration is best described as:
a. Criminal b. Deviant c. Felonious d. Mala in se
Why is the media a key factor in fear of victimization?
A. The media tend to exaggerate stories that lead people to believe they are going to be victims of crime. B. The media downplays actual crime to lure people into a false sense of safety. C. The media truthfully reports crime to give people an accurate account of what is going on in their community. D. The media provides entertainment; therefore, it skews the news to fit the advertisers’ need.
Merton’s version of strain theory is often referred to as ______.
A. gratification theory B. depression theory C. expressive theory D. anomie theory