Phelps (2020) discusses the concept of mass probation. What is your reaction to her primary arguments? Do you think that probation serves as a true alternative to incarceration or a net widener that pulls more people into the corrections system? Why? What reforms, if any, do you support for improving probation and/or reducing the burdens of supervision in the United States?
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 Impact of Mass Probation on the US Criminal Justice System
In her insightful work, Phelps (2020) delves into the concept of mass probation, shedding light on its implications for the US criminal justice system. This essay aims to explore the primary arguments put forth by Phelps, assess whether probation truly functions as an alternative to incarceration or acts as a net widener that ensnares more individuals into the corrections system, and propose reforms for enhancing probation and alleviating the burdens of supervision in the United States.
Thesis Statement:
Phelps (2020) highlights how mass probation has become a pervasive phenomenon in the US criminal justice system, often serving as a net widener rather than a genuine alternative to incarceration. To address this issue, reforms such as implementing evidence-based practices, reducing caseloads, and providing more resources for rehabilitation programs are essential for improving probation and reducing the burdens of supervision.
Understanding Mass Probation
Phelps (2020) argues that mass probation has led to a significant expansion of the corrections system, with a large number of individuals placed under supervision. While probation was initially conceived as a lenient alternative to incarceration, it has evolved into a mechanism that ensnares more individuals, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
Alternative to Incarceration or Net Widener?
The question arises: Does probation truly serve as an alternative to incarceration, or does it function as a net widener? Despite its intent as a diversionary tactic, mass probation has often resulted in more individuals being subjected to supervision. This has led to increased surveillance, stricter conditions, and higher rates of revocation, ultimately perpetuating cycles of incarceration.
Proposed Reforms
To enhance the effectiveness of probation and reduce the burdens of supervision in the United States, several key reforms are imperative. Firstly, the adoption of evidence-based practices in probation decision-making is crucial to ensure that interventions are tailored to individuals’ needs and risks. By focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, probation can fulfill its intended role as an alternative to incarceration.
Secondly, reducing probation caseloads is essential for improving supervision quality and promoting successful outcomes. Overburdened probation officers often struggle to provide adequate support and resources to supervisees, leading to increased recidivism rates. By allocating sufficient resources and personnel to manage caseloads effectively, probation can become a more individualized and supportive process.
Lastly, investing in rehabilitation programs and community resources is vital for addressing the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behavior. By providing access to mental health services, substance abuse treatment, education, and employment opportunities, probation can empower individuals to reintegrate into society successfully and reduce their involvement in the criminal justice system.
In conclusion, Phelps’s (2020) insights on mass probation prompt critical reflection on its impact on the US criminal justice system. By recognizing probation’s potential as both an alternative to incarceration and a net widener, we can advocate for reforms that prioritize rehabilitation, individualized supervision, and community support. Through evidence-based practices and resource allocation, probation can evolve into a transformative tool for promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates in the United States.
