paper 1

Paper Prompt:

Should Scared Straight and similar programs be widely used to deter at-risk and delinquent youths from reoffending?

In answering this general question, please also consider these more specific questions to guide your analysis:

• How does the Scared Straight program apply ideas from deterrence and rational choice theories? Make sure you explain the ideas behind these theories, where they come from, and how they are utilized by the program. Be specific to link specific ideas from the theories to specific scenes from the film. (The film is available in Brightspace in the Course Videos module.)
• Is there evidence that programs like Scared Straight work in preventing crime? Explain! Here, you should refer not only to the film, but also to research on this question (see the articles posted below in this module, as well as relevant sections of Posick, chapters 9 and 11).
• Are there limitations or flaws to Scared Straight and similar intimidation-based programs? Are there important factors behind juvenile offending that such programs are not able to address?

Provide as much detailed evidence as possible from relevant sources from the course to make each point and support the overall argument of the paper.

Format and References

The paper should be about 4-5 pages (not including title or reference pages), double-spaced, with 12 font and 1 margins. The paper should include in-text citations and a reference page in ASA or APA format. (You can use the guides on how to use ASA and APA provided in Brightspace; go to Course Resources Research Assistance.) Remember, when citing the book or an article, you need to include page numbers to identify exactly where in the reading the information you discuss can be found.

You must cite at least four course materials in the paper. These should include (a) relevant sections of the Posick book, (b) the documentary film Scared Straight, (c) and the two articles on the topic posted in the “Course Readings” Module by Klenowski et al., and Petrosino et al.

Make sure to include an introductory paragraph that presents the topic of the paper and the main point(s) you intend to make; at least one paragraph on each major point you make throughout the paper; and a conclusion paragraph that summarizes the analysis. It is good to use quotes from the readings, but otherwise, the essay should be written in your own words.

You will be graded along five main dimensions:

1. Thesis: What is the general argument you will make? The thesis should be clearly stated and easily understood, and grounded in the course materials and subject matter. The thesis should remain the focus of the paper from start to finish.
2. Description, Details and Evidence: A rich description of the issue or problem should be provided. The research should be sufficient to support the main arguments. A sufficient understanding of course concepts/theories should be demonstrated.
3. Organization and Clarity: The paper should contain a logical structure (such as, an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion), and transition smoothly between paragraphs. Each paragraph should be focused, with minimal repetition.
4. Spelling and Grammar: There should be few spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Your writing should exhibit proper English mechanics through sentence variety.

5. Citation of Sources: All data, information, and ideas should be properly cited in ASA or

APA format, with an accompanying reference page. Appropriate sources, as instructed

above, should be referenced accurately.