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Reality therapy refers to a psychological Community based correction method to find out what the offender aims for in life. After establishing this, the guidance counsellor focuses on what the subject has been doing in an attempt to get closer to the goals. Thereafter, the psychologist helps the client to logically analyze and evaluate whether the pattern of behaviour exhibited earlier on has been assisting him or her to progress towards his or her ambitions. These sessions are organized in such a manner that they assist clients evaluate their goals in life and the steps they are taking to achieve these aspirations. Reality Therapy aims at coordinating an individual’s goal and actions to determine how the two relate to the achievement of the person’s wishes. This psychological technique has been in use since its development in 1965 by American psychiatrist William Glassier.
This form of therapy can be used to assist young people who are just out of school, to help them identify their goals in life and the course of action to take. Reality therapy is also equally useful in helping addicts to recover from various forms of addiction. This is achievable after the addict has realized that there are goals and ambitions that await him. The patient then goes a step further and relates his goals to his life style. On analyzing the lifestyle and the ambition, the patients is likely to reflect on possible actions that can aid in the accomplishing the ambitions.
Pre-sentence investigation report refers to a report of the past life of a person convicted of crime. This aims at determining whether their crime is as a result of an existing chain of behaviour or they are just ordinary offenders. This report is prepared by prison investigation officers for the magistrate, the magistrate will consider all the information given by the report before arriving at a conclusion. This report serves as a charging document which the magistrate will use to deliver his judgement. It is also used as a proof of criminal conduct where the evidence against the convict is inadequate for delivery of justice to occur. The record contains personal details of the individual, previous arrests, gang affiliations, previous employments, and any other ongoing trials.
A good example, in which the presentence report can be used, is a case where the prosecutor fails to provide enough evidence for the court to find the accused guilty of the crimes mentioned. The prosecutor may ask for some time to have the history of the convict screened and back checks conducted to unearth his criminal life style. Since most criminals are repeat offenders, this report will help implicate the suspect. The judge may also rely on the report to determine the appropriate punishment to give the offender.
Community policing is a philosophy which aims at preventing crime and finding permanent solutions to crime related problems in the society by encouraging communities to partner with the police in investigations and reporting of crimes. Under this initiative, members of the community report criminal activities in their neighbourhood as well as give names of suspects. This aids in quicker investigations since the police have a lead as to who might have been behind the criminal activity. The argument for this is that, the community knows the behaviour of its members and as a result can know who is likely to have committed and offence. This is usually encouraged in criminal infested areas to avoid cases of individuals taking the law into their hands and to arrest those behind these criminal activities.
Community policing is been used in densely populated areas where gangs prefer to live. Members of the community identify the suspects and possible evidence that is likely to implicate them of the aforesaid crimes. They then notify the police who take the necessary action. This form of policing has helped make the services of the police efficient and more reliable. Crime issues in slum areas and other areas have greatly reduced as a result of this philosophy.
Special courts are becoming a norm of late. Re –entry courts are part of this new development. Unlike other special courts they target already screened convicts, at times they even admit those already serving their sentences. They are designed differently depending on a country’s laws and regulation systems. Their main aim is however to help the convict take responsibility and be accountable for what they do. The convicts are expected to appear on a daily basis in these courts, they are taken through several procedures aimed at preparing them for life outside prison. Recent studies did not provide reliable data as to their effectiveness, this is because they are very new in the society and it can take years before the results of these courts are ascertained.
The main goal of the re-entry courts is to avoid repeat offences. They have been formed to provide guidance on good human relations to convicts who are about to be set free. Most repeat offences occur since the convict has no other means of a livelihood. These courts can be very essential in such a case; this is because they help the convict identify available opportunities.
Drug courts are specially designed courts in which the community, judiciary, probation, law enforcement, mental health, and social service Work together to help non violent offenders overcome their drug addiction. Drug addiction is a lead cause of crimes, especially robbery when the addict runs out of drug. In an effort to avert this, drug courts have been set up in most parts of the world. They offer advice and treatment to help the addicts turn away from drugs and start been involved in more constructive activities.
These courts can be used in case s where the offender is a first time offender and the crime commite4d can be attributed to his drug addiction problem Juveniles are also taken to these courts to rectify their ways and aid them stop drug abuse.
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