Why are prisons chronically underfunded?
What will be an ideal response?
Varies. First, underfunding of the correctional system has been the default option for state lawmakers because prisoners and prison spending are valued by virtually no one, and state lawmakers generally are not rewarded for spending more money on a system that is not well-regarded by the public. On the other hand, spending cuts to prisons are far more popular and represent a rare point of agreement for those across the political spectrum (including those on the left and the right), because liberals would prefer more spending on rehabilitation and crime prevention programs, whereas conservatives generally equate corrections-related spending with unfair comforts for criminals who should compensate for their crimes. Second, costs continue to rise, not fall, and as staffing-related costs and medical care for aging prisoners have risen, funding levels have not kept pace with the increases. (Still, the state continues to pour more money into prisons yearly.)
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Which of the following circumstances creates difficulties in the implementation of federal laws?
A. when Congress passes a law that contains ambiguity B. when Congress calls agency heads to testify at formal hearings C. when each chamber of Congress is controlled by a different party D. when the president belongs to a different party than the majority party in Congress
Appropriations bills passed by the Texas legislature always take effect _____
a. immediately b. thirty days after the legislative session ends c. ninety days after the legislative session ends d. on January 1 e. on September 1
What is a stealth candidate?
A) A Supreme Court nominee whose views are unknown B) A Supreme Court nominee who has never written a brief C) A Supreme Court nominee who doesn't belong to a political party D) A Supreme Court nominee who is a restorationist E) A Supreme Court nominee who opposes judicial activism
The document filed by an outside party with an interest in the litigation before the Court is a(n) _________
A) writ of certiorari B) jurisprudence document C) amicus curiae brief D) de jure brief E) stare decisis