Sentence Supervision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sentence Supervision - Essay Example On the surface these measures seem adequate to deter future and repeat offenders, ensure the safety of the public and to allay the fears of the populace. However a deeper study of the issue reveals there is little scientific evidence to support the perceived effectiveness of these measures. In fact harsher sentences and more stringent parole requirements tend to defeat the very purposes they are supposed to serve. Thus a critical evaluation of sentencing and post - sentence supervision as measures to control dangerous offenders helps provide a comprehensive analysis of their use and the detrimental effects they are likely to have in the criminological process. Initially the acute need for sentencing and post - sentence supervision was felt following the occurrence of certain horrific crimes like the James Bulger, Sarah Payne cases and similar killings. These terrible crimes sent shockwaves rippling through the nation and led to a huge outcry from the impassioned populace. The media played its part in fuelling public outrage and there was a clamour for severe punishments to be handed out to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. In the aftermath of these killings, the political climate favoured the inclusion of legal provisions to control dangerous offenders by the use of longer sentences and supervision. Such steps served as an opiate to public passions. Unfortunately these measures have not been implemented on the basis of sound scientific study, rather as Tonry points out they reflect a "reduced tolerance of risks in 'late modern society', punitive public attitudes and the cynicism of a political class that chooses to pander to public fears and primitive passions".2 Another reason for the employment of stricter sentencing and supervision was the belief that it would carry out some of the aims of the criminal justice system. For instance it was believed that sentencing and supervision by means of parole officers would serve as a method of crime prevention. It would serve a dual purpose of dealing harshly with dangerous offenders while reducing the risk of reoffending. Theoretically this premise appears to be sound, unfortunately as Ashworth puts it, " it does not follow from any of this that increases in sentence levels will bring about increases in general crime prevention". 3 Dangerous Offenders and the Law Measures for controlling dangerous offenders are outlined under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. When convicted of a 'serious offence', the offender may be condemned to life imprisonment, imprisonment for public protection or extended sentences. Serious offences refer to specified crimes (mentioned under this law) that are usually violent or sexual in nature. Life sentences are imposed on murderers and offenders who have already been convicted for a serious offence. In the words of Hungerford - Welch, "Under s 225(2), if the offence is punishable with life imprisonment and the court considers that the seriousness of the offence (or of the offence and one or more offences associated with it) is such as to justify the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment for life, then the court must impose a life sentence". 4 If the gravity of the crime is

Holding up general motors Issues in the fisher body case study Literature review

Holding up general motors Issues in the fisher body case study - Literature review Example Holding up general motors? Issues in the fisher body case study A classic case study in the economics of organizations, and pertinent to this discussion, regards the relations that prevailed between General Motors, Inc. and the Fisher Body Company, Ltd. during the 1920s. Accordingly, the first of accounts to be provided was by Klein et al, whose work – Vertical integration, appropriable rents, and the competitive contracting process – was to form the basis upon which all discussions were held. This was until Ronald Coase, presented his perceptions on the issue of transaction cost economics, through his 2000 work - The Acquisition of Fisher Body by General Motors. Through this work, Coase was to decisively criticise the then ‘prevailing perception’ on the relations between General Motors and the Fisher Body Company. His criticism was founded upon the grounds that the long held perspective was factually incorrect, providing critical input in support of his arguments. Regarded as the founding father of modern (contemporary ) transaction cost economics, his input and experience are thus considered critical towards effectively discussing the case under study. Of particular importance is his visit to the U.S, with specific focus placed upon the car manufacturer industry during the 1930s (Coase 2000, p. 16). General Motors and the Fisher Body Company case that occurred during the 1920s has significantly affected economic discussions and undertakings in the current world.