Sunday, April 4, 2021

Pre-Writing: Prison Reform

One thing that I have been grateful for in the writing process is all of the different pre-writing techniques that are suggested to us. When I first started my class I thought they seemed like a pain, but MAN do they really help! One of the most helpful things suggested to me was to make an outline. I highly suggest that if you are writing a paper, make an outline to organize all of your thoughts and information prior to writing! I have included my outline for Project 3 below.

Outline for project 3

1.   Introduction

A.     Explanation of the issue

                 i.          Prison systems in the U.S. today are in major need of reformation and prison goals should be reevaluated.

B.     Thesis

                 i.          The primary goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through a variety of prison programs, as opposed to violence and punishment.

C.      Proposition

                 i.          I want state government officials to see alternatives to the way prisons are currently being run and draw attention to the benefits of reform program options.

D.     Statement of the case

                 i.          If a change in thinking does not occur, the cycle of entry and re-entry into prison will continue for an individual because they do not know another way to live.

2.   Development of the argument

Reasons and evidence   

R1: I believe that the main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, because after release, inmates are often released back into their previous environment, and without rehabilitation, they are likely to reoffend and re-enter prison.

R2: I believe that the main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, because mental health illnesses and previous substance abuse are highly linked to incarceration, and inmates need treatment in those areas.

R3: The idea that the main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, is correct because the function of prisons is more or less like a bootcamp that cultivates more violence and corruption.

R4: The main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, because it has been proved that individuals returning home from prison have been shaped by substance and offending history, as well as their prison experience and networks that they have formed in prison.

R5: The main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, is a correct claim because there are statistics proving that prison programs that teach skills needed after release can help reduce the probability of prison re-entry.

R6: I believe that the main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, because there are gender-specific issues related to incarceration that need to focused on to combat the issue of prison re-entry.

R7: I believe that the main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, because some offenders have not had an opportunity to receive an education, and receiving one while incarcerated and lead the individual to gain employment and live a better life after release.

R8: I believe that the main goal of prisons should be reformation, implemented through different programs, because inmates can learn life skills, job training, and treatment for mental health and substance abuse that can improve their chances for success after release.

                ii.        For reasons 1-8 use stories from observations and use outside sources for evidence. Include data from outside sources.

3.   opposing views

Give examples of views that differ from my claim.

O1. Some people disagree that the main goal of prisons should be reformation and the implementation of reform programs because they believe that all individuals that end up in prison are bad people.

O2: Some people disagree that the main goal of prisons should be reformation and the implementation of reform programs because they may believe that offenders cannot change.

O3: Some people disagree that the main goal of prisons should be reformation and the implementation of reform programs because they believe that punishment is the only way for an individual to learn a lesson and not repeat offend. 

O4: Some people disagree that the main goal of prisons should be reformation and the implementation of reform programs because they are unable to see that there are typically underlying issues and causes that have lead the individual to be incarcerated.


4.   Response to opposing views

State my response to view that differ from my claim.

 X1: People from all walks of life can end up incarcerated for a number of different reasons. Therefore, not all inmates could possibly be bad people.

X2: By participating in the type of reform program that is best suited for them, the chances of an individual changing and becoming a better version of them.

X3: I feel that only using punishment does not teach an individual anything and certainly does not help the situation. Rehabilitating an individual and teaching them life skills, they can learn a different way to live so that they don’t have to offend again.

X4: Substance abuse history and mental illness are highly linked to incarceration and can be an underlying factor that causes the individual to enter prison or reoffend after release.

5.   Concession

Explain where I share common group with opposing views.

                 i.          I agree with the notion that punishment is necessary, however, I feel that the individual should also be rehabilitated to help ensure they do not reoffend.

6.   Conclusion

Summarize my statements and call for action

                 i.          Prison reform is possible and has the chance to dramatically impact the issue of prison re-entry and repeat offending. We all must work together to bring the need for prison reform to light and raise awareness to be able to change the prison system for the better.

This post is nearly identical to Student A's portfolio post. It has only been changed to account for formatting changes that resulted from copying and pasting between platforms. It is anonymously shared with permission of the author, for faculty development. Spring 2021.

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