Prison Overcrowding in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Prison Overcrowding in the United States - Essay Example This has led into inmates being forced into open dormitories and double-bunking in a single cell. Many critics have termed such overcrowding as dehumanizing and degrading for inmates. It is also contradictory to the present correctional reforms that emphasize on maximizing the opportunities that are available to inmates (Farrington 222). The United States reports the highest number of incarceration rate in the world. At the end of the year 2009, the incarceration rate was 743 adults per 100,000 people. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics quotes that 2,266,800 people were incarcerated in the US state, federal and county jails by the end of 2010. This is approximately 0.7% of the US adult resident population. In addition, there were 4,933,667 adults by the end of 2009, who were on parole or probation. Therefore, the total number of adults under correctional supervision totals to 7,225,800. This is approximately 3% of the total population of US adults (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics). The number of juvenile detentions was 86, 927 in 2007. Despite this increased numbers, the crime rates have been shown to be on the decrease. 70% of prisoners in the US are non-white. The states with the highest ratio of incarceration include Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi. Approximately 90% of the inmates comprise males. The total number of foreign prisoners is estimated at 6% (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics). There are several causes of this pertinent issue. There has been an increase on the number of offenders that are sent to prison. This can be attributed to high rates of recidivism, which have been on the rise. There has been an increased rate of offenders that return to prison for unsuccessfully completing or violating community supervision. The increased number of offenders can also be attributed to new criminal offences that have been added to the penal code. Certain types of offenses have harsher penalties resulting in

Health Literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Health Literacy - Essay Example The websites have authority because they include the people responsible for their content such as verifying the legitimacy of the website and authors’ qualification for writing health journals and articles (Eysenbach, 2002). In terms of coverage, the websites successfully address the topics clearly and provide supporting evidence for any assertions made. Websites that address pharmacy concerns include http://www.diahome.org/en-US.aspx, https://www.medicare.gov/ and http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/. The websites are very objectives because their content is supported by evidence and is not biased. They are updated regularly and the content displayed is current, with dates posted and updated indicated within the web pages. They are well maintained, with user friendly features that allow easy navigation. Websites that address health care topics include https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/cshcn/, https://www.healthcare.gov/ and http://www.hrsa.gov/. They cover the topics comprehensively, and present supportive evidence for arguments. They address information needs of their target audience in a simple manner. The websites appear organize with links that open quickly to display content (Eysenbach, 2002). The sites appear well maintained and often updated to maintain currency of their content. Websites addressing health concerns include: https://www.healthconcerns.com/, http://www.mentalhealthconcern.org/ and http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/issues/policy. These sites are accurate because they list the sources of factual information and avoid grammatical errors. They are objective in that the information provided is free from. The sites cover the topics comprehensively, addressing key areas in a brief but precise way. They avoid medical jargon to make their content easy to understand for all

Financial Performance of BRALIRWA

Financial Performance of BRALIRWA This chapter presents the theoretical framework used to evaluate the financial performance of BRALIRWA and the influence of corporate governance on the firm performance; and the research methodology followed throughout the research basing on the different aspects discussed in literature review. 3.1 INTRODUCTION As discussed in chapter one, the main focus for many companies is to create the best possible value for their owners and to secure excellent financial performance. The sound financial health of a company is one of its major goals and to maintain it, companies at one point of time have to look at the past and current performance to plan for future prospect. The most objective way to evaluate the financial performance of a company is through financial statement analysis. Financial analysis involves the assessment of a firms liquidity, its operating performance, its risk profile and its growth potential using financial ratios. Ratio analysis is an important and powerful analytical tool used for measuring the performance of a business entity (Van et Al., 2003). It helps stakeholders (shareholders, investors, creditors, managers, government etc) to make an evaluation about the profitability and financial soundness of the business entity (Bardia, 2008). Different types of investors expect different types of returns, if you are a stockholder, you expect an increase in the value of the stock you hold; if you have invested in a company with a history of paying dividends, you also expect a dividend; if you have loaned the firm money, you expect to receive interest and the return of loan principal. Although the types of returns they expect are different, equity investors and creditors both risk not receiving those returns. Therefore, both stockholders and creditors use financial statement analysis to predict their expected returns and assess the risks associated with those returns (Hongren, Sundem, Elliot and Phil brick, 2003). Analysis of financial performance allows comparison of practice performance from one year to the next, benchmarking of a practice against industry standards, and preparation of financial information for lending institutions or directors (Stallwood, 1996). The financial performance of a company can be influenced by many different aspects or factors and for the purpose of this study, corporate governance was taken into consideration and specifically the aspect of board characteristics. The board of directors is an important entity in a company creating a link between shareholders and managers and therefore playing an important role in the governance of the firm (Dehaene et al., 2007). Therefore, boards of directors are charged with the task of monitoring the performance and activities of top management to ensure that the latter acts in the best interests of the owners (Jensen and Meckling, 1976; quoted by OConnell and Cramer, 2010) 3.2 PROBLEM DEFINITION After the 1994 genocide many companies in Rwanda were destroyed and some of them have not recovered up to today. Among the companies affected by the genocide include manufacturing companies out of which some tried to recover and restart their activities progressively and the country is providing a good environment for business but this does not guarantee good performance on behalf of companies. Standard financial reports provide basic information on the current profit level of investment in assets but do not give information on whether profit is adequate, how efficiently the assets are being used to generate sales, how efficient the overall operation is, and whether there are short-term financial problems facing the business. Ratio analysis provides some answers to these questions by calculating the relationships between various figures on the balance sheet and the income statement and comparing the movements in these ratios over time and against industry averages can provide additional information about whether the organization is performing well or whether remedial action is needed (Stallwood, 1996). Ratio analysis is an important and powerful analytical tool for measuring the performance of a business entity. It helps stakeholders to make an evaluation about the profitability and financial soundness of the business entity (Van et al., 2003). Some key companies in the manufacturing sector do not have thorough financial analysis which makes it difficult for stakeholders to know how these companies are performing; BRALIRWA will be used as representative case study to exemplify the financial performance of companies in the sector and the way this performance is influenced by corporate governance. The way companies are directed and controlled can influence their performance (Berle Means, 1932), in some companies there is lack of consistency in reporting operating and financial activities as well as governance activities to shareholders in a fair, accurate, timely, reliable, relevant, complete and verifiable manner. Manufacturing companies in Rwanda contribute to the economic development of the country and hence a need to evaluate their performance in other to detect their likely future and take appropriate measures accordingly, as well as the influence of corporate governance on their performance. 3.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This study has one general objective and five specific objectives. 3.3.1 General objective The general objective of this study is to assess the financial performance of BRALIRWA s.a (2005-2008) and the influence of its corporate governance on the performance 3.3.2 Specific objectives To analyze the operating efficiency and profitability of BRALIRWA to know its level of operating performance. To analyze the sales and earnings variability in order to measure the risk that BRALIRWA may be exposed to. To analyze the internal liquidity of BRALIRWA in order to measure its ability to meet financial obligations in the short-term. To assess the impact if any of BRALIRWA governance on its performance. To analyze the sustainable growth potential of BRALIRWA. 3.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The theoretical framework adopted in this study was developed based on different literature on the analysis and evaluation of financial performance and literature on corporate governance and firm performance. 3.4.1 Dependent variable According to Jones, Wahba and Heijden (2007), the dependent variable is the one main research issue you are studying, on which other variables in theoretical framework are assumed to have an impact. Creswell (2002), defines dependent variables as the outcomes or results of the influence of the independent variables. For this study, financial performance stands for the dependent variable. Financial performance is usually measured by ROE and ROA, for this study financial analysis is used to analyze the financial performance of BRALIRWA and the analysis is conducted in three categories; the analysis of internal liquidity, operating performance and risk. When analyzing internal liquidity, the intention is to indicate the firms ability to meet its future short-term financial obligations, this may be an indication over a certain period of the likely performance of a company because if a firm is not able to meet its short-term financial obligations for a long period, definitely this will affect its performance but the analysis of this may help the organization take necessary actions. The analysis here is based on current ratio, quick ratio, cash ratio, receivables turnover and inventory turnover. The analysis of operating performance, examines how management uses its assets and capital by measuring the sales generated by various categories of assets or capital and analyzes the profits as a percentage of sales and as a percentage of the assets and capital employed (Brown and Reilly, 2009). The ratios used are the asset turnover, equity turnover, profit margins, return on equity and return on assets. Concerning the risk analysis, both business and financial risks are measured and analyzed, here the emphasis is on the sales variability, operating leverage which consists of the variability of a firms operating earnings and then the debt-equity ratio to measure the financial risk. 3.4.2 Independent variables Independent variables are the variables impacting on your main research problem. They are called independent in a sense that those variables are affecting the amount of dependent variables and do not affect each other, so they are independent of each other (Jones, Wahba and Heijden, 2007). Corporate governance stands for the independent variable for this study. Corporate governance is the mechanism by which a corporation is managed and monitored. It determines a power-sharing relationship between corporation executives and investors by providing structure through which the objectives are defined; policies and procedures are established to ensure achievement of these objectives; and activities, affairs, and performance are monitored (Rezaee, 2004). Based on this definition and other definitions of corporate governance, it can positively or negatively influence the performance of a company and for the purpose of this study, the influence will be analyzed based on board characteristics which are treated as the moderating variables in this study and considered as one of the aspects of corporate governance. 3.4.3 Moderating variables Moderating variables are included in the theoretical model to modify the way that the independent variables will affect the dependent variable. They might act as a catalyst of these relationships and strengthen them or perhaps they just inhibit the relationship and weaken it (Jones, Wahba and Heijden, 2007). For this study the moderating variables are the board characteristics, and the following characteristics were taken into consideration the board size, board composition, CEO duality, board diversity and frequency of board meetings. The board size is the number of members on the board and as boards are considered to be large decision-making groups, size can affect the decision-making process and effectiveness of the board (Dwivedi and Jain, 2005). Talking about the board composition, the board may be composed of directors who may be executive meaning that they are employees of the firm, or non-executive meaning they are not employees of the company; and this may have an effect on firm performance. CEO duality consists of having the same person holding both the board chairman and CEO positions or having the CEO and board chair positions separate, this also may have an impact on firm performance. When it comes to board diversity, the consideration is that there may be some diversification in the board members which may or may not have an influence on firm performance; diversity for this study is seen as gender diversity, racial diversity and experience/background diversity. Board meeting frequency consists of how frequently the board meetings are scheduled and the board activity is measured by the frequency of board meeting, this frequency may impact on the performance of the firm. Figure 3.1: Theoretical Framework Source: Research, 2010 3.4.4 Research assumptions Based on the various corporate scandals due to the manipulation of financial statements, the researcher made an assumption that the information provided in the audited financial statements of BRALIRWA for the period 2005-2008 are true and accurate. It was assumed that the respondents would be willing to fill the questionnaires and that the staff in the finance department of BRALIRWA would cooperate in providing any necessary information regarding the financial statements. 3.4.5 Research limitations The study uses BRALIRWA as a case study, which may provide little basis for generalization on the performance of other manufacturing companies The study only use a time-series analysis because there are no competitors in the industry to compare with The financial statements analyzed were the balance sheet and income statement because the company does not prepare cash flow statement The study only used board characteristics as the aspects of corporate governance due to time and logistics constraints the researcher could not use other aspects. The study was limited to a period of four years from 2005 to 2008 3.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONs To achieve the research objectives of this study; the study has to answer the following major and minor research questions. 3.5.1 Major research questions How is BRALIRWA financially performing for the period under study and what is the implication for future performance? How is BRALIRWA governance influencing its performance? 3.5.2 Minor research questions How well is the management of BRALIRWA doing to generate operating profits on companys assets? How well is BRALIRWA management using the capital invested? How is BRALIRWA financing its assets and how variable its earnings are? How well is BRALIRWA doing to meet its maturing financial obligations? The above mentioned research questions will help in analyzing the financial performance of BRALIRWA and the influence of its corporate governance on performance. 3.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.6.1 Research type This study is basically quantitative with a small portion of qualitative and descriptive in nature and is using a case study method. The study is using the computation of different ratios to analyze the financial performance of BRALIRWA and statistical measure like mean, standard deviation and correlation are also used; and it is also qualitative in the sense that it is looking at the perceptions of staff on the influence of corporate governance on the performance. The purpose of quantitative research is to determine the quantity or extent of some phenomenon in the form of numbers (Zikmund, 1994). 3.6.1.1 Case study methodology This study is using BRALIRWA as a case study representing other manufacturing companies in Rwanda. BRALIRWA was chosen as a case study because of its long stay in the business and as being one of the manufacturing companies that were operating before the 1994 Rwandan genocide and which has continued operating and the major motivation for the researcher to take it as a representative case study is that the manufacturing sector in Rwanda is mostly made of food and beverages companies where BRALIRWA is dominating. According to Robson (2002:178) cited by Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2007), a case study is a strategy for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life context using multiple sources of evidence. Yin (2009) defines a case study as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in depth and within its real life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. According to Yin (2009), the case study inquiry copes with the technically distinctive situation in which there will be many more variables of interest than data points, and one result; relies on multiple source of evidence, with data needing to converge in a triangulating fashion, and as another result; and benefits from the prior development of theoretical propositions to guide data collection and analysis. 3.6.1.2 Descriptive research This study is descriptive as it is describing and evaluating systematically how BRALIRWA has been performing for the period under study. According to Kumar (2005), a descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or program, or provides information about something or describes attitudes towards an issue. 3.6.1.3 Quantitative and qualitative research As discussed early, this study is a mix of quantitative and qualitative, it is evaluating the performance of BRALIRWA by quantifying it through different ratios to analyze the internal liquidity, operating performance and risk and most of the information is gathered using quantitative variables (through financial statements). On the other hand, the study is qualitative in the way that it has some variables which were analyzed without being quantified. The study is qualified as quantitative if one wants to quantify the variation in a phenomenon, situation, problem, or issue; if information gathered using predominantly quantitative variables; and if the analysis is geared to ascertain the magnitude of the variation. On the other hand, a study is qualified as qualitative if the purpose of the study is primary to describe a situation, phenomenon, problem or event; the information is gathered through the use of variables measured on nominal or ordinal scales; and if analysis is done to establish the variation in the situation, phenomenon or problem without quantifying it (Kumar, 2005). 3.6.2 Data collection instrument and source For the purpose of this study, both primary and secondary data were collected. To collect primary data questionnaires were distributed to the staff of BRALIRWA to know and analyze their perceptions on the influence of board characteristics on firm performance, the questionnaires were given to different staff but the most targeted were the managers and directors (management team) and heads of department and then some of the officers in different departments; interviews were also used with the staff in the finance department to get some clarifications on the content of the financial statements. And to collect secondary data, different literature on the evaluation of financial performance and those on the relationship between corporate governance (board characteristics) were reviewed through books, journals, articles and websites; and the financial statements of BRALIRWA for a period of 2005-2008 were consulted and analyzed through financial ratios. 3.6.3 Sampling methods Sampling is the process of selecting a few (a sample) from a bigger group (the sampling population) to become the basis for estimating or predicting the prevalence of an unknown piece of information, situation or outcome regarding the bigger group; a sample is a subgroup of the population one is interested in (Kumar, 2005). For the purpose of this study, judgmental sampling technique has been used to select the sample in order to collect primary data. Purposive or judgmental sampling enables you to use your judgment to select cases that will best enable you to answer your research question(s) and to meet your objectives. This form of sample is often used when working with very small samples such as in case study research and when you wish to select cases that are particularly informative (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2007 quoting Neuman, 2000). According to Kumar (2005), the primary consideration in purposive sampling is the judgment of the researcher as to who can provide the best information to achieve the objectives of the study; the researcher only goes to those people who in his/her opinion are likely to have the required information and be willing to share it. For the respondents to fill the questionnaire it required a certain degree of information about the board of directors and the judgmental sampling is the appropriate technique to this study. 3.6.4 Sample size A sample of 25 respondents was selected from the staff of BRALIRWA which is the population of the study; as stated early the sample was selected using judgmental sampling. The respondents were selected from different departments of the company and from top management to senior officers and the sample is the representative of the population. 3.6.4 Data analysis methods The study is based more on the secondary data as the evaluation of financial performance is based on the financial statements of the case company (BRALIRWA) and on primary data which were collected using a questionnaire to analyze the influence of the board characteristics on the financial performance of the company as perceived by the company employees. In the process of data analysis, the information from the financial statement were first presented according to the research objectives and research questions and based on the theoretical framework and literature review; then they were analyzed using appropriate ratios and the analysis was based on time series analysis, some statistics were used such as mean and standard deviation for the researcher to analyze the data and come up with conclusions and recommendations. To analyze the data collected from questionnaires, the following process was followed; first the data were edited, then coded and frequency distribution were used. To analyze, the open-ended questions, content analysis was used whereby different themes were identified from the answers given by the respondents and then verbatim responses were examined and discussed with reference to literature to come up with research findings, conclusion and recommendations. 3.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY This chapter discussed the research problem by highlighting that in Rwanda some key companies do not have thorough financial analysis and that the performance of companies may be influenced by the way they are managed and monitored where this may depend on the characteristics of the board. The chapter also discussed the theoretical framework that was used for this study and the dependent, independent and moderating variables were identified; financial performance is the dependent variable which is determined through the analysis of internal liquidity, operating performance and risk and the summarizing indicators of financial performance for the purpose of this study were identified as ROE and ROA. The chapter goes on discussing the research objectives, research questions, the assumptions and limitations of study. Then the chapter concludes with the discussion of the research methodology that was used to conduct the research and to achieve the research objectives and to answer the research questions that were put forward; the study is a mix of quantitative and qualitative, both secondary and primary were used and financial statements and other sources were used to collect secondary data and the questionnaire was used to collect primary and the questionnaires were sent to a sample of 25 respondents, the sample was selected using judgmental sampling.

The Role of International Law Concerning Deforestation and Desertificat

The Role of International Law Concerning Deforestation and Desertification The surface of the earth is, in a sense, its skin-a thin but crucial layer protecting the rest of the planet contained within it. Far more than a simple boundary, it interacts in complex ways with the volatile atmosphere above and the raw earth below. It may seem hard to imagine it as a critical component of the ecological balance, but in fact, the health of the earth’s surface is vital to the health of the global environment as a whole. ~Al Gore Deforestation and Desertification. These lucrative concepts echo throughout the environmental movement both past and present. The realization and analyzation of the human species’ manipulation of the environment has stimulated a profound movement towards the protection and maintenance of every aspect to the environment. The pursuit of wealth and power are now being questioned in accordance to the justification of environmental degradation. Today the solutions to all environmental degradation cannot solely be left to national governments. These global issues require international attention and action and the ultimate submission of certain national sovereignty. This protective â€Å"skin† of our earth is in utter turmoil and can solely rely on an international environmental movement. Can the pursuit of wealth and power justify the loss of the environment- the very body that supports all living organisms? The actions of all humans today are manipulating indefinite aspects to the environment and sadly enough, the continuance of the human species in generations to come. In order to assess the significance of international environmental law in accordance with deforestation and desertificatio... ...Nigel. â€Å"Opportunities to save and Sustainably Use the World’s Forests Through International Cooperation.† (1999):33. Online. Internet. 14 March 1999. Available: http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/forestry/sizer.html Slomanson, William R. Fundamental Perspectives on International Law. 2nd ed. Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1995. Steger, Will and Jon Bowermaster. Saving the Earth: A Citizen’s Guide to Environmental Action. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. Switzer, Jacqeline. Environmental Politics. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1998 "U8830 International Land Resources Managment: Combating Desertification, Deforestation, and Biodiversity Loss." 1996: 9 pp. Online. Netscape. 11 Apr. 1999. Available: http:/www.iisd.ca/linkages/pam/lecture3.html. http://www.cnie.org/nce/clim-4.html http://moby.ucdavis.edu/gaws/10711quebec/gpoup4.html

All In The Name Of Honor Essay

Yale lecturer Joanne Freeman (2001), in her book, â€Å"The Affairs of Honour†, dissects the New Republic through cultural microscopic lenses by focusing on the Founders’ personal honor and reputation as the underlying factor for all political action in America’s inchoate democracy. The auhor strengthens her thesis as she explores with compelling narratives how the nation’s Founders behaved and acted, all in the name of personal honor, to an extent of reckless violence in order to claim their rightful positions in the annals of history. The most stunning account in the book is the renowned duel between then vice-president Col. Aaron Burr and Gen. Alexander Hamilton, former aide-de-camp to George Washington, stemming from a criticism allegedly made by Hamilton against Burr, saying the latter is, â€Å"one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government† (Freeman, 2001, p. 6). By publishing articles on the American Citizen that were deemed insulting to his honor and reputation, Burr eventually made the bold duel dare to Hamilton, who accepted, and lost his life in the end. In saying , as a forewarning to the reader, that â€Å"†¦we must concede that there was a larger logic underlying the duel, a belief so strong that it compelled men to hazard their lives† (Freeman, 2001, p. 65), and proving later on that both men were compelled to risk their lives because of their own vanities, Freeman is actually telling the reader that both men, although great in their own respects, were too obsessed with personal honor to do anything of political significance. Freeman presents the Founders as alpha males out to satiate their personal egos and risking even their lives to prove so. Freeman plays too much emphasis on looking at decisions at face value and ignoring to appreciate the political significance or rationale behind them. For instance, when she says â€Å"at various points in their political careers, even men of seemingly ironclad principles like Jefferson and Hamilton were rumored to have abandoned their supporters to join with former foes† (Freeman, 2001, p. 269), she is misleading and unfairly painting a picture of treachery and backstabbing in the Founders as if to do so would be unforgivable betrayal to the American people. To Freeman, affairs of honor were a way out for great personalities of the New Republic to cope with the seemingly unstable political life, along with gossip networks, media, and duel as the last resort. As there were no established political parties yet, politics was personal, alliances were unpredictable and in short, you could trust no one during this period. Therefore, the â€Å"code of honour did more than channel and monitor political conflict; it formed the very infrastructure of national politics, providing a governing logic and weapons of war† (Freeman, 2001, p. 146). Dueling, like she says, was a trend. A careful reading of literature mentioned by David Waldstreicher (2002) in his article Founders Chic as Culture War appears to indicate a growing trend and acceptance in a cultural (re)writing of American history, from the traditional bottom-up approach to the top-bottom perspective, characterized by what I think, is an unfortunate emphasis on personalizing the progress and gains of the American revolution. While themselves admittedly more appealing than the traditional textbook-styled accounts of history, the accounts by Joseph Ellis, David McCullough and Joanne Freeman being reviewed by Waldstreicher have the effect of de-emphasizing the complex political process during those times to mere political squabbles and â€Å"affairs of honour† instead of an interplay of the yet fluid political divisions (governors) and the people (governed) and how these two groups came to terms in order to produce the democracy that America champions. Judging by the way Waldstreicher presents his views on the three, it is apparent that he agrees with some of the authors, not particularly on Freeman, on how individually, the Founders struggled with their own personal demons, but the former carefully points out Ellis, in still adulating them, saying , â€Å"Things fell apart, but character—greatness—held† (Waldstreicher, 2002, p. 187). A culturalist also, he is careful to create a demarcation line between the views espoused by Freeman and his own, suggesting that Freeman is in a way reviving the Washington beltway vision of how politics operates, telling it from the perspective of the leader or the general, and throwing aside ideologies, partisanship, policy and instutional development. Freeman’s return to the â€Å"dead white men† perspective and exaggerated emphasis to humanize Founders in her book undoubtedly makes for a compelling story; one that would make for a good history read. However, the extreme focus on the personal traits of the Founders in her book undermines historiography in general. I do not believe that men like Adams or Jefferson, could be that dense, especially while basking at the still-idealistic mood out of the gains of the revolution, would have thought that only their personal honor was at stake. There is without a doubt several failings in character among the Founders, like all other human beings, but, like Waldstreicher, an appreciation of them should be based on the political significance of their actions, not on anything else. I possess no sacred reverence for the Founders in excess of how I appreciate their individual contributions in concert with the actions of a vigilant people who, collectively, shaped America to what she is today, faults and all. By singling out the Founders and presenting evidence on how they backstabbed, deceived or shifted allegiances is to ignore that the same culture pervades in modern America and elsewhere as a political maneuver allowed in a democracy. By representing history solely on individual action and characters of the Founders is to brandish a reportage of events that generally undermines American heritage. References Freeman, J. B. (2001). Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Waldstreicher, D. (2002). Founders Chic as Culture War. Radical History Review, 84, pp. 184-94.

Probation: Prison and Federal Prisoners Returning

Probation is a type of sentence for criminal defendants. Probation allows a convicted defendant to go free with a suspended sentence for a specified duration during good behavior. Probationers are placed under the supervision of a probation officer and must fulfill certain conditions. If the probationer violates a condition of probation, the court may place additional restrictions on the probationer or order the probationer to serve a term of imprisonment. Probation is normally for offenders sentenced to short terms in jail: it is not combined with a long prison sentence. egal dictionary) Unsupervised, supervised, and intensive are the three types of probation. Intensive probationers are required to report daily to a probation officer and most times has an electronic monitoring system or they are on house arrest. Supervised probationers report to a probation officer once a month. Unsupervised probationers must follow the guidelines but do not have to report to a probation officer. Certain violent criminals and repeat offenders are not eligible for probation according to the statutory restrictions most states use to determine eligibility. Offenders placed on probation are subject to required conditions. There are standard conditions which all probationers have. Standard conditions include reporting to the probation office, reporting change of address, being employed, and not leaving the jurisdiction without permission. Punitive conditions are set to reflect the seriousness of the offense and make probation a little more painful. Examples of punitive conditions are fines, community service, victim restitution, house arrest, and drug testing. Treatment conditions make probationers deal with problems or needs, like substance abuse, family counseling, or vocational training ( Corrections: The Fundamentals) In the probation process a crime is committed and the offender is sentenced to probation. The second is the offender will have to follow several conditions or guidelines. The third would be to follow through with the probation and any other criteria the judge made and get off of probation After researching adults on probation on the BJS website it seems that there is always more state probation than federal. Also the number in state probation has significantly increased through the years. The federal probation has been like a rollercoaster starting low going high, going low and back to high. In the article by Allen J Beck State and Federal Prisoners Returning to the Community, it states that 42% of discharges from parole/conditional release supervision returned to prison/jail. Also 62% of released State prisoners are rearrested within 3 years; 41% returned to prison/jail. Doing some research on the highlights of three years I found; At yearend 2009, there were an estimated 5,018,900 adults under supervision in the community either on probation or parole the equivalent of about 1 out of every 47 adults in the U. S. Probationers (4,203,967) represented the majority (84%) of the community supervision population at yearend 2009, while parolees (819,308) accounted for a smaller share (16%). At yearend 2008, nearly 5. 1 million adults were under community supervision the equivalent of about 1 in every 45 adults in the United States. At yearend 2002, 1,440,655 prisoners were under the jurisdiction of State or Federal correctional authorities. Looking at the Re entry trend it st ates at least 95% of all State prisoners will be released from prison at some point; nearly 80% will be released to parole supervision. In 2001, about 592,000 State prison inmates were released to the community after serving time in prison. All of this information is significant because it keeps a close eye on how many prisoners are released on probation and what percent of these prisoners did not follow through with it. According to the information from BJS it shows that probation effectiveness has its good times and its bad times. I think that probation is an effective form of community corrections as it can be. There is never a 100% effective way of stopping people from committing crime. If someone commits a crime even knowing the consequences, chances are they will do it again with or without probation. I think the government needs to focus on why people are committing crime and try to prevent crime before it happens. I also think that maybe there needs to be longer probation periods and harsher ones for repeat offenders. I also think that probation should be for less serious crimes and maybe for misdemeanors and not felonies.

How To Write A Concert Review

How To Write A Concert Review Amazing Concert Review: How to Start? Reviews are probably the most casual types of written assignments because they combine both: reporting on an issue and providing your own opinion. Its main goal is to evaluate and provide information on the regular events: shopping at the mall and judging the quality of items, watching a movie or reading a new book. Every time we do something we judge people, atmosphere or plot even without noticing it. Luckily, reviews are so different in shapes and topics that they don’t have a common structure. There are many genres that students may choose: evaluating musicals, movies, books, TV shows, places and much more! However, the main goal remains the same: to give an evaluation of the chosen topic. It may seem quite a simple task to provide your own ideas and judgments on the topic. Although there are still many rules that you should follow, all of the claims must be supported with evidence. It is not simply an interpretation of the topic but also arguments-based research on the chosen issue.   You need to make the reader believe your point of view. Concert review is not the most common assignment students may get. You should describe not only musicians but also evaluate location, time, atmosphere and even response of the audience. In addition, you need to compare the chosen concert with other concerts to give readers a broader picture of the topic. If you have troubles writing a concert review or it is actually your first review of such kind, go on reading, and we will give you all the tips you should know for a great result! Understanding Background Knowledge of Your Audience To write a catchy and interesting review, you should not only provide a chronology of events but also analyze the musical genre, have a solid understanding of the theory and various musical styles. Another important element before getting started is to know your audience. For example, if you are writing for teenagers, you need to concentrate on describing the performers: their outlook, behavior, dialogues and so on. However, if you write the review for your teachers, it is better to write about the composition, plot, engaged interests, and expression to show how well you have mastered the genre. What Does Your Audience Want to Know? In most cases, readers are interested in getting the general picture of the concert and its impact on the writer. However, if you are writing for people, who have a deep understanding and interest of musical genres, pedagogy, and instruments, don’t forget to include those details to your review. If you are writing for an audience that is interested in technical aspects, write about the scene, location, light, sound, and other important details. However, there are things which all of the readers not depending on their interests are willing to know: whether the instruments were appropriate for the piece, how the audience reacted and so on. Your Writing Style Information you provide is not the only thing that matters. You should be equally attentive to the way you express your ideas in order to engage the reader. When writing a concert review, you should be both formal and informal. Try to avoid personal pronouns, like ‘I,’ ‘you’ and ‘your’: they always show that you are subjective on the topic and the readers may doubt whether your opinion should be trusted. In addition, if you want to make your review professional and catchy, you need to avoid clichà ©s and general terms, like ‘interesting.’ Try to find synonyms instead, for example, ‘appealing’ or ‘outstanding.’ How to Write a Remarkable Concert Review? If you want to get a high grade and to engage the reader, understanding music and listening to various concerts is a must. Your ability to put impression into words is one of the key features you need to master if you expect a great result. Writing a concert review consists of two stages: on the first one you need to attend the event or listen to the audio, and on the second you need to write everything down.   Below we have collected all of the stages and elements you need to include to your concert review. Stages of Pre-writing Carefully Read Guidelines Concert review is quite a vivid assignment, so greatly depends on circumstances and requirements. For example, if you are writing for a teacher, you need to follow a particular formatting style and to make sure to include all of the required elements. However, if you are writing a paper article, it is important to know the audience. Get the Tickets Beforehand To make sure that you get the best seats, from where the scene and performers will be clearly seen, it is better to buy the tickets well in advance. Make Notes During the Concert This is one of the most challenging but yet important stages because the quality of your review greatly depends on how well you will write down all of the important details. Remember, you need to pay attention not only to the concert itself but also to the time and location, clothes of musicians, lighting, general atmosphere and much more. You can also make notes on the dialogues on stage and among visitors. Write Down Performed Compositions It is important to provide readers with information on what compositions made up the concert. If you miss any of the pieces, it is better to contact concert managers and to get a list of the compositions that were played. Later in your text, you can tell which of them you liked more and why. Tell About the Musicians You need to write down your impressions from performers. Where they good or bad? However, back your opinion with reasons why you consider performers good, average or bad. Make notes whether performers shared powerful energy with the audience. Don’t forget to notice gestures, mimics and other important details on stage. Additionally, concentrate on the leading singers: were they confident? How well did they interact with the audience? Did they use all space on stage? Examine the Audience It is a well-known fact that part of the performance depends on how well the audience responds. Of course, you need to focus on musicians, but there is also a need to notice the mood of the audience. Not depending on the goal of your concert review, your readers will be interested in the concert atmosphere, so make notes on the audience, its quantity, age and response to the concert. Writing Stage The second stage starts right after you leave the concert and must contain the following elements: Introduction In the first part of your review, you need to provide all of the important details considering the concert - for example, its title and date, venue, names of musicians and ensembles. You can also give details on the location to provide readers with a broader picture. This is especially important for readers, who are not familiar with the area. You also need to mention whether the concert took place in the evening or at night. Description Main paragraphs of your review must contain a description of various compositions that were played during the concert. Here is when your notes come in hand. Devote a separate paragraph to every composition or aspect you want to highlight. The format of your description greatly depends on the musical genre, but you should still mention composition’s title, name of the composer and information on the audience’s reaction on the discussed piece. Evaluation Evaluation section is the heart of your review because it contains your personal opinion based on the information you have provided in the previous body paragraphs. Here you should tell readers about the general experience of the concert. Tell the audience whether it was worth seeing or not. What made it different from other similar events? Here you can also include information about musicians, interesting facts, history and so on. In this part, you must provide both positive and negative thoughts on the performance. Was there anything that the concert lacked? What things could improve the show? In the evaluation section, you should also tell about the audience’s response. What songs or musicians got more applauds? Don’t forget to evaluate the organization of the event. It is also important to tell about the quality of music and sound, as well as of musical instruments. You can also compare the live and the studio versions: were they very different? Which one was better? Conclusion The closing paragraph of your review must be a summary of your experience and impression of the concert. In this section, you can mention whether the concert met your expectations. Remember that conclusion is for summarizing and not for providing any new information and details. Closing Thoughts Writing a concert review is quite different from other writing assignments, and it may take lots of time and preparation. Your main goal is to experience different emotions and then to render them to your target audience. If you want to create a great review, it is important to have a deep understanding of music and to understand format peculiarities. Hopefully, the tips above will be of great help!