Running head: PRISON TERM PROPOSAL

Prison Term Policy Recommendation Proposal

CJA/314

Prison Term Policy Recommendation Proposal

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The act of robbery can happen just about anywhere and anytime. Robberies can take
place in private or public places. Robbery is the theft from a person by use force and fear. The
degree of force or fear does not have to be large to justify the statutory requirements (McGoey,
2014). Criminal acts are committed daily around the nation. Law enforcement agencies,
criminal justice system, and the public are ones that has and will continuously deal with crime in
America. The aim of sentencing is to serve as a deterrent to the criminal from committing a
criminal act. The state government is taking legal action, by implementing a bill that will double
the maximum sentencing for someone convicted of arm robbery.
As a criminologist advisor to the state legislature, I have been tasked with writing a
proposal to the bill in question. The minimum punishment for arm robbery is three to seven
years depending on the severity of the crime, and the maximum sentencing is twenty-five years
to life in prison also depending on the severity of the crime. The government is recommending
that the minimum sentencing is increased to twenty years and the maximum is life in prison with
or without the change of parole depending on prior criminal record and severity of the crime.
The persons that are victims of arm robbery desire for justice to be severed and to feel
protected and safe. When a person is robbed it can cause, mental, physical, and financial damage
to the individual. The United States government disburses a very large price due to armed
robbery. While crime is falling off the US government gained heavy cost due to armed robbery
crime. According to the Robbery (n.d.), an estimate of $456 million in losses was attributed to
robberies in 2010. After reviewing the crimes from current years, I am not in agreement to the
sentencing doubling for the crime of arm robbery. Doubling prison time will add to the
overcrowding of prison and adding more strain on the government to build more prison facilities
to house inmates that have been convicted of crimes.

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I recommend for high crimes areas that more police officers are placed to serve as
deterrents and a show of force. I believe if more security was placed in neighborhoods and
business complexes it will prevent some of the robberies. I know that we will never be able to
stop this crime from happening. I do have faith in our criminal justice system, that we can
decrease the rate of it robberies in our country. Doubling prisons terms will not deter people from
committing robbery. Doubled prison terms will not be cost efficient, inmates will need to be
housed, feed, and medical care for a longer period of time. It will also require more prisons and
jails to be built. The legislature should not create this new law.
In conclusion, the proposed prison term policy is not a sure guarantee to prevent
individuals from committing crimes, such as armed robbery. Armed robbery is a concern for
judicial legislature all of law enforcement, and all related officials that participate in the fight to
lower the crime rate. I strongly propose that the legislature take in consideration the added
financial burden on the prison system, and government before this bill is passed.

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References
McGoey, C. (2014). Robbery Facts Violent Crime Against Persons. Retrieved from
http://www.crimedoctor.com/robbery1.htm
Robbery. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-theu.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/violent-crime/robberymain