1.) a) In your opinion, why do you suppose that the black imprisonment rate is 5.5 times that for whites? Is the criminal justice system in a sense racist? What specific policies have led to this discrepancy? Please take a position either way and point to various aspects of the assigned reading and specific policies to bolster your argument. b) Next, why do you suppose that the birth of crime control occurred in 1968 under President Nixon? What was it about this particular time in history that lent itself to the beginning of harsh criminal justice policies? It should be evident that you have a clear understanding of William Kelly's book. c) Also, has the crime decline over the last two decades been a direct result of punitive, 'get-tough' criminal justice policies, or can it be attributed to other factors? If so, what are these factors, according to Kelly? Fully elaborate. d) Next, please provide at least one example, according to Kelly, as to how punitive criminal justice policies have softened within the past few years. Be specific. Do you believe this trend is likely to continue? Why or why not? e) Finally, some scholars have argued that it is not sound criminal justice policy to execute offenders. Provide at least one reason provided by Kelly as to why the death penalty is problematic. In your opinion, will the death penalty be used in the United States twenty years from now or will it be abolished? Support your position. 2.) a) In your opinion, why is the insanity defense rarely used as a criminal defense strategy? b) Next, as you know from the reading, a few states have abolished the insanity defense. Do you agree or disagree with this? Fully explain your answer. c) Next, given what we know about elderly offenders and the enormous costs associated with incarcerating these individuals, please provide one suggestion as to how expenses can be reduced while also keeping society safe. It should be evident that you have carefully reflected upon William Kelly's book. d) Next, after reading this book, do you believe that prosecutors in the United States have too much power, not enough power, or about the right amount of power. Make a convincing argument and point to various aspects of the assigned reading to bolster your position. e) Finally, if it can be demonstrated that a person has a mental illness, should he or she be completely diverted from going to jail and sent to a mental health provider instead? Elaborate. f) Finally, how can police officers determine whether or not an individual is truly experiencing a mental health crisis or is trying to 'game the system' by feigning mental illness to avoid punishment? 3.)a) Texas used to have a law which required juvenile suspects to meet with a criminal attorney prior to being interrogated by police officers. In your opinion, would it advantageous to return to the above policy? Take a position either way and fully support it. b) Next, according to William Kelly, during the 1960s, the liberal Warren Court handed down a number of decisions that were intended to provide juvenile defendants with important civil liberties. Of the three U.S. Supreme Court juvenile justice cases discussed by William Kelly, which one do you think transformed the juvenile justice system the most? Fully elaborate. c) Next, describe the impact that all three of these juvenile justice cases have had on the administration of justice for juvenile defendants. Have these court decisions resulted in more or less justice for juvenile defendants? Take a position either way and fully defend it. d) Next, what is generally regarded as the age of culpability (or criminal responsibility) in the United States? Do you agree or disagree with this? Fully elaborate. e) Finally, why has there been a substantial reduction in juvenile incarceration over the past ten years, according to William Kelly? Do you believe this trend will continue in the years to come? Why or why not?