Posted: September 16th, 2017
Lifers
Develop three questions for class discussion.
Suggestions
1) Discuss why and how the use of life sentences has changed since 1984.
2) Discuss the emotional aspects (pains of imprisonment) of serving a life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) sentence (see especially Johnson & McGunigall-Smith, 2008).
3) Discuss the nature of the transformation model of the Public Safety Initiative (PSI) of LIFERS, Inc, and the meaning of transformation in the lives of the long-term prisoners (see Harris, 2009). How is the model related to desistance from crime? Do you think the changes reported by the prisoners are real and will (or would) continue if released to the community? Explain.
4) In examining the science of adaptation and adjustment to long-term incarceration, do you think the deterioration theme or the model inmate theme has more support? Explain why.
5) In thinking about correctional practices and policies, what should be the goals of long-term prisoner (and lifer) management?
6) How do the stories from the prisoners (Metzger, Paluch) support or contradict the findings/conclusions in the articles by the Sentencing Project, Flanagan, Harris, and Johnson & McGunigall-Smith? What have you learned about prisoners’ perceptions and experiences of long-term incarceration from these accounts? Explain.
7) If convicted of homicide, which sentence would you prefer, a death sentence or a life sentence without the possibility of parole? Explain why.
8) What are the two most significant [surprising, disturbing] things you have learned from the readings about long-term incarceration and lifers? Explain why.
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