The University of Memphis Criminal Justice System Discussion

Prompt 3:

I really enjoyed watching Milwaukee 53206. It provided a really great perspective on the criminal justice system from the viewpoint of the people that are and had taken part in it. The parts that stood out the most to me were the ending, where Baron had his request denied and Chad Wilson realized how hard it would be to get his record expunged. These two scenes in particular I feel represent a lot of our criminal justice system– horribly slow & inconducive to rehabilitation. It was, however, nice to see the kids in the community aiming to help the community when they grew up. Unfortunately, I forgot his name but the kid near the basketball court seemed like such a caring individual.

Prompt 1-I found the section about the history of punishment in the United States particularly interesting. It was particularly illuminating to read about how the discipline has evolved over the centuries, from corporal sentences to the use of prisons to the current system of mass incarceration. It was also interesting to read about the various forms of punishment used in the past and how certain conditions are disproportionately used on specific racial and ethnic groups. This section of the reading helped me understand the history of punishment in the United States and how it has been used to oppress certain groups. Furthermore, the reading also highlighted the role of the state in the incarceration system, such as the role of the police and the criminal justice system in disproportionately punishing certain groups. Finally, it is essential to note that despite the changes, the inequalities and disparities in sentencing are still present today.