In this article, we will discuss what is often known as the ‘forgotten branch of law enforcement’. Many people do not realize that the Department of Corrections is a branch of our country’s law enforcement. There are many policies and procedures in place when convicting a person of a criminal offense.
The class of crime, the extent of the crime, and the victims associated with the crime are examples of factors that are determined in deciding the length or prison time a person receives. In some cases, the type of crime can determine the location of their incarceration as there are specifically built facilities in place to house a specific crime. There are even state prisons designed only for senior-aged offenders and offenders with physical handicaps. The Department of Corrections is also in charge of smaller sentencing that allows offenders to be housed in what are labeled Work Release Centers. In these cases, offending can leave the institutional grounds to travel to and from their place of employment and back. Special privileges can come with good and acceptable behavior such as special visitation from family members and friends and even weekend privileges to leave the facility on certain weekends. The classification of the crime the number one factor in determining a persons prison sentence.
Other factors contribute as well such as if this is the offender’s first crime ever committed. The judge takes into account numerous things in any sentencing trial. Every state in the U.S. has similar but different guidelines for their sentencing to determine is the crime is punishable to a county, state, or federal level. A good criminal justice lawyer, such as Mike G Law, can help streamline the processs. Crimes related to computer hacking and such generally are classified under federal punishment guidelines. State level crimes can vary from intermediate drug-related crimes to murder in the first degree. Many states have changed their policies on housing offenders on the same cell blocks. For example, sexual crime offenders charged with rape and non consentual sexual assault are housed of a specific cell block housing only people with similar crimes to prevent threats and such. In most sentencing cases, a judge will attach parole or probation onto an offenders sentence as an enticement to perform good behavior and follow the rules.
Many people do not realize how much money and tax dollars are spent in each state to feed and house inmates. Others that do have controversial feelings toward the justice system when referring to prisons. As an example, all inmates get 3 free meals a deal including free heat and air conditioning whereas school systems do not offer free meals to students. Corrections Officers are also one labels as forgotten law enforcement. C.O.s have some of the toughest environments in the entire system. Safety is a great concern for families and friends of corrections officers. In a prison housing approximately 5000 inmates, we have around 180 officers on duty to make sure the prison is operating as it should. Corrections can and might be the most dangerous line of duty in the label of law enforcement.
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