1. An off-shoot of electronic monitoring is GPS monitoring, which allows tracking of an offender’s movements. Address the following:
What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of GPS monitoring?
For what types of offenses would you use this type of alternative to imprisonment?
Does it depend on whether it is a first or second offense?
2. Should private companies be allowed to run correctional institutions?
Why or why not?
Use specific data from class and/or outside materials to support your argument.
*I believe that correctional facilities should NOT be for profit*
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Strengths and Weaknesses of GPS Monitoring
GPS monitoring, as an off-shoot of electronic monitoring, has both strengths and weaknesses. Here, we will explore these aspects:
Strengths
Enhanced supervision and accountability: GPS monitoring allows for real-time tracking of an offender’s movements, ensuring that they adhere to their designated boundaries. This increased level of supervision can deter individuals from engaging in criminal activities, as they know their movements are being monitored.
Reduced costs: Compared to traditional imprisonment, GPS monitoring is generally more cost-effective. It eliminates the need for costly incarceration and provides an alternative that is less burdensome on the criminal justice system.
Reintegration support: GPS monitoring can be used as a tool to facilitate reintegration into society. Offenders can be granted limited freedom while still being closely monitored, enabling them to maintain employment or attend rehabilitation programs.
Weaknesses
Privacy concerns: GPS monitoring involves constant surveillance of an offender’s location, which raises privacy concerns. Critics argue that this type of monitoring violates an individual’s right to privacy and may lead to a chilling effect on their daily lives.
Technological limitations: The effectiveness of GPS monitoring relies heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the technology used. Technical glitches, such as signal disruptions or inaccurate location data, can undermine the system’s credibility and effectiveness.
Limited enforcement capabilities: While GPS monitoring can track an offender’s movements, it does not have the immediate capacity to intervene and prevent criminal behavior. It only acts as a deterrent, relying on the offender’s compliance with the monitoring system.
Using GPS Monitoring as an Alternative to Imprisonment
The appropriateness of using GPS monitoring as an alternative to imprisonment depends on various factors, including the type of offense committed:
Non-violent offenses: GPS monitoring can be a suitable alternative for non-violent offenses such as property crimes, fraud, or drug-related offenses. It allows offenders to maintain employment or fulfill family responsibilities while still being supervised.
Low-risk offenders: For individuals who pose a low risk of re-offending or flight, GPS monitoring can provide a less restrictive alternative to imprisonment. It allows them to remain in the community while being held accountable for their actions.
Post-conviction supervision: GPS monitoring can be particularly valuable during post-conviction supervision, ensuring that offenders comply with parole or probation conditions. It facilitates the transition from incarceration to community-based supervision.
Whether it is a first or second offense can play a role in determining the appropriateness of GPS monitoring as an alternative to imprisonment. First-time offenders may be more suitable candidates for this alternative, as they may benefit from the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society without the negative impacts associated with incarceration. However, the specific circumstances of each case should be considered in determining the most appropriate course of action.
Overall, GPS monitoring has strengths in terms of enhanced supervision, reduced costs, and reintegration support. However, it also has weaknesses related to privacy concerns, technological limitations, and limited enforcement capabilities. Its suitability as an alternative to imprisonment depends on the nature of the offense committed and the individual circumstances of the offender.
