How does sexuality play a part in social inequality? When thinking about this, consider factors such as prostitution and pornography and their affects on women. Additionally, consider heterosexism and its effects on social standing for individuals who identify as gay and/or intersexual.
Explain your understanding of “community-based corrections” What are the advantages and limitations of this approach compared to prison for convicted individuals? Do you favor or oppose expanding community-based corrections – why or why not.
Answer:
1)
It is essential to understand that sexual inequality is a problem for women, although it is a large part. Men are also discriminated against and suffer. To name just a few things: men are expected to be physically strong, emotionally in control, and take the lead in all areas, including the family and home. Sexual inequity also affects queer, intersexual, transgender men, and men who have sex with men (MSM).
Heterosexism is a general belief that the only acceptable way to be is to be heterosexual. As you will see later in the text, many individuals who identify as homosexual and intersexual do not subscribe to heterosexism. That is, they are not required to be heterosexual. In other words, heterosexism encourages people to accept a particular way of life based on society’s assumptions about what gender role is appropriate for specific community members. As a result, all people who identify as heterosexual become heterosexual, regardless of their internal preferences. This means that heterosexuality can become an unquestioned, socially-imposed concept. Many people think of heterosexuality as the natural way to identify, the default way. It is this naturalizing of heterosexuality that can cause people to believe in heterosexism, especially when this way of life is presented as “normal.”
Prostitution and pornography cause a great deal of harm to women. The industry that supports them exploits women for financial gain. These industries often rely on the sexual objectification of women and a lack of agency in the women who take part in this industry. Women in prostitution often feel they are forced into sex due to men’s needs for sexual pleasure and the lack of an alternative job. Pornography also leads to a lack of agency for the women who appear in it. These women may be paid little for their work if not paid at all.
2)
Community-based corrections (CBC) include programs within the community rather than inside correctional facilities. This includes community-based substance abuse treatment, employment programs, and transitional housing.
CBCs were made available through the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, 2002. Since then, the Ministry of Corrections has implemented the Community-Based Services Act, 2005, which provided guidelines and standards for community-based service providers.
CBCs provide the opportunity for convicted offenders to receive treatment and counseling in their community. This allows for increased public safety and reduced costs for all the involved parties.
There are five types of CBC programs:
(1) Community-based parole supervision: offenders are released and returned to their community (usually living at a center) for supervision. Parole officers or probation officers may stay in the community. The Parole Board can be involved in this type of CBC. However, the offender may also be released from prison to a designated worksite with the stipulation that he must be available for employment and abide by various conditions. Community correction workers supervise this.
(2) Community-based probation: offenders are released and required to stay in the community on conditional release for some time while they are under the supervision of community correction workers and subject to conditions imposed by the court. Probation officers do not have direct contact with the offender in the community.
(3) Community-based correctional supervision: the offender is released and must abide by the conditions imposed by the court and be subject to the management of community corrections workers. Offenders receive assistance and counseling. This is the most common type of CBC.
(4) Community-based sentence alternatives to custody: Offenders are sentenced to one of the following sentences: community-based sentence of imprisonment, a community-based sentence in prison, community-based supervision, or home confinement. These sentences are imposed at the time of conviction.
(5) Public safety sentences: Offenders may be sentenced to jail and community-based sentences (including home confinement or work release). Public safety sentences are usually imposed for violent crimes.
Community-based corrections programs have many advantages. For instance, they reduce the risk of repeat criminal behavior, decrease recidivism, help prevent re-offending, reduce the time required for rehabilitation, and save taxpayer money. They provide opportunities for offenders to receive additional education, training, or employment, and they enhance community safety by reducing the time and expense of incarceration. However, CBC programs have some disadvantages as well. There is a greater possibility of re-offending because CBC programs are a form of supervised release, and offenders are released to the community. The risk of re-offending can be decreased by placing restrictions and conditions on the offender. However, it is more difficult to enforce such situations because the offender will be living in the community. There is a greater likelihood of violating the conditions set out by the court.
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