Finlaw 1

Matthew Finlaw
Professor Kern
English 101
11 November 2016
Works Consulted
ALCU. "The Dangerous Overuse of Solitary Confinement in the United
States." BRIEFING PAPER - American Civil Liberties Union. American Civil Liberties
Union, Jan. 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.
The American Civil Liberties Union is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation which intends to
defend individual rights and liberties provided to individuals under the constitution. In this
briefing paper The ACLU challenges the effectiveness of solitary confinement in prisons, as well
as whether it is a humane use of current human resources. Through a sequential examination of
this issue, the foundation labels this harsh practice in prisons unconstitutional and
psychologically inhumane. When prison reform is often mentioned, many of us often think of
implementation of new practices or programs, however removing degenerative and inhumane
elements in prisons may prove to be just as effective in facilitating a rehabilitative environment
into prisons.

Berenji, Bijan, Tom Chou, and Maria R. D'Orsogna. "Recidivism And Rehabilitation Of
Criminal Offenders: A Carrot And Stick Evolutionary Game." Plos ONE 9.1 (2014): 1-13

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Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.
In this heavily statistically centered argument, the authors present a strong correlation between
rehabilitation in prison and reduced recidivism. An evaluation takes place between how different
mixes of rehabilitation and punishment lead to varying levels of success. A firm determination
from the authors declare that levels of harsh punishment in prisons led to the highest rates of
recidivism. When comparing strictly the effects of a harsh vs. rehabilitative environments, the
paper represents both sides fairly, pointing out shortcomings from each side beyond the numbers.
Stripping the consideration of cost from the problem, this paper effectively presents strong data
which backs up the efficiencies of a rehabilitative prison structureand consequently the
inefficiencies of a prison environment rooted strictly in punishment.

Nellis, Ashley, Ph.D. "THE COLOR OF JUSTICE: RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITY IN
STATE PRISONS." The Sentencing Project (2016): 1-25. Web. 3 Nov. 2016.
In a thorough statistical and researched argument, Dr. Nellis illustrates the rates of incarceration,
as well as the large racial and ethnic disparity seen in the United States prisons. Beyond these
raw numbers, the author delves into the underlying injustices and lack of opportunity afforded to
minorities in America when faced with an encounter with the US prison system. Nellis
establishes fairness to the topic by accounting for external factors as well as educational level as
key variables in the numbers presented. By additionally touching on these external factors it is
clear to see a correlation of demographic makeup, education, and impoverished areas to high

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concentrated areas of crime. Translating this status quo into a rehabilitative prison system
allow for presumed long-term correction to make sense.

Newark Department of Reentry. "Office of Reentry - City of Newark, New Jersey." City of
Newark New Jersey Office of Reentry Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
The Newark Office of Reentry presents examples that prove rehabilitation and transitional
assistance into society are not foreign concepts. When examining a lawmakers stake in the
argument, acknowledgement of success in existing programs is crucial in mind of legislators
and additionally public opinion. The Office Reentry outlines its current programs and transitional
assistance offered to prisoners attempting to successfully reentering society. In thoroughly
understanding what is currently offered; the level of current exposure to current and former
inmates; and additionally how effective these programs have been will be a main catalyst in
argument for and against prison reform.

Sharp, Lauren, "Expungement and the Rehabilitation of New Jerseys Offenders: How the
Expungement Petition of J.S. Court Got it Wrong" (2016). Law School Student
Scholarship. Paper 878.

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In this detailed, critical examination of New Jersey's recent stance on expungement, Sharp
outlines the ineffectiveness within current legislature that binds former inmates indefinitely to
their past. In a recent NJ appellate court decision, the court chose to limit expungement
eligibility to some narrow criteria. By making a majority of former inmates ineligible for future
expungement of their crimes, the court restricts the opportunity of a reformed life. The author
also descriptively presents refutation to his argument with specific counter arguments and
justification from the court justices who ultimately ruled on the matter. By digging below the
surface of this decision, Sharp unpacks several key considerations from which contributed
strongly to a prisoners perspective on prison reform.