Abstract
The aim of this paper is to give legislators recommendation for the new bill that seeks to increase the term by double for criminals sentenced for armed robbery. Despite the state legislature argument that the bill is popular the prime question should be will the bill act as a deterrent to armed robberies? It is hard to conclude on the right recommendation in a society that believes on the adage that ‘’do the crime, do the time’’.
The effectiveness of the bill if it passes into law is hard to define if it will deter crime to offenders and potential offenders. Robbery is a crime of stealing by use of threats or force. It is also referred to as larceny. Where the offender uses a weapon inflicting injury on the victim the offender is charged as armed robbery or aggravated robbery (Schmalleger, 2012).
Armed robbery is rampant in the United States hence becoming a major concern for the society, legislature, and criminal justice system. Armed robbery is punished as a capital offense; however, sentencing is depended on several variables such as state laws and procedures, past crime record, if state has diversion program or even if there are any sentencing improvements.
This bill should seek to address crime reduction is the United States and not just a bill to deter crime. The bill will get to root cause of crime and project where crime is headed today in the United States of America. Research might bring secondary solutions that might help curb the situation and have outcomes that are more successful (Schmalleger, 2012).
In many states, the out practice has discouraged habitual crime but in others, it has had no effect. For instance, in Lincoln, Nebraska there are several inmates with more than five hundred arrests. In other states, habitual criminals spend years in prison only to get out and commit yet another crime ending up in prison again.
Although there is no warranty that this bill once passed into law will deter crime however, there are recommendations that once implemented can be of use to both society and criminals.
A strict code of conduct should be set for the convicted and those who follow and demonstrate ability to live by it once but there can be released. These procedures include behaviour modification, vocation training and education, counseling, work experience, proper nutrition and exercise. These procedures will ensure that convicts are rehabilitated rather than being incarcerated.
The rehabilitation methods to be proposed in this bill include behaviour modification, training, education and vocation, work experience and proper nutrition and exercise. In some places where rehabilitation has been implemented it had failed due to lack of cogent method of implementation.
Presently, many prisoners just eat, watch TV, lift weights, and do little work. Many spent their time in the cold cells. The question that remains in many people’s minds what is the fete of those who will eventually be released. What is the recidivism rate of the prisoners if convicted? This bill should address these major goals (Schmalleger, 2012).
To many citizens and members of the state legislature, the bill should pass the clean bill of health. In the society, robbery criminals should perish in prison cells without light of the day. However, the prime goal of every judicial system and prison system is to correct and rehabilitate the convicts into good citizens so that once they are out they can serve their country patriotically. The theory and adage that do crime more time is retrogressive and time barred.
The disparity in judicial sentencing in the judicial system. This disparity is variations and equities resulting when convicted of same crime are given different sentences whether in the same State or in a different state (Schmalleger, 2012).
This disparity is unfair. There should be equal sentence for same crime. The judicial system should thus create a scorecard that is to be used when delivering sentences. This score should cut across all states and all judges. In this respect, I would wish the bill to accommodate the recommendation that all crimes receive same punishment.
Probation is allows an offender to get another chance. It can be given in addition to the normal jail term. It allows an offender to join his community with supervision from his/her probation officer. The probation officer sets the terms such as classes, curfews, and monitoring.
This is a well thought out recommendation, as it is not every offender is a repeat offender (Schmalleger, 2012). We cannot lay a blanket judgement that all are capable of doing a repeat offense that is what this bill seeks to achieve. Where a first time offender gets double maximum prison term by just committing their first crime, this will seem like the system doesn’t want them o prove themselves. This is not a good point on part of the offender.
Parole is a recommendation where an offender sentenced to jail has the ability to get another chance of redeeming himself. It involves amnesty to those who have displayed good habits and frequently reports to the authority (Schmalleger, 2012).This recommendation will help in cutting down tax payers money spend on offenders besides giving offenders room for reformation and correction to patriotic citizens. In this regard, the bill should not pass the clean bill of health on the floor of the house.
Reference
Schmalleger, F. (2012). Criminology today: An integrative introduction. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall