Faculty Evaluation System Essay Example for Free

Faculty Evaluation System Essay A faculty evaluation system which is installed in our college is of great use to evaluate the faculty performance and their self development in the process. The value added system installed in place takes input of various feedbacks given not only by the students but also by the other faculties. The various feedbacks and advises are capitalized upon for deciding merit of the faculty. It overall encourages the faculties and ensures better focus towards research and development. The faculty evaluation system takes into account the following: 1. It evaluates the faculties on their performance, their integrity, their adherence to rules and regulations, their publication of journals and contribution towards research papers. 2. The feedbacks are in various forms, more likely in areas syllabus coverage, innovation, analysis, case study approaches, behavior and attitude (Bowers, 2005). 3. The various suggestions and feedbacks would ensure a change in the trait of the person for the betterment of the individual and the society at large. The astonishing fact is the acceptance of the system in the college as it not only fosters development but ensures innovation and making of a leader in every being. The analysis of the feedbacks is evaluated to a large extent by the system and the data evaluation is done quite well. The special feature is the trend analysis for the performance of the faculty and the very graph of performance is taken up. The system is designed in a very well coordinated manner for fetching large scale analysis of the various developments and ensures that right tracking is made possible (Arreola, 2003). References/Bibliography Arreola, A Raoul (2003). Developing a Comprehensive Faculty Evaluation System, Educational Psychology from Arizona State University. Bowers K. John (2005). Issues in Developing a Faculty Evaluation System. Retrieved 16, January 2009 from http://www. springerlink. com/index/X712557731J2WN54. pdf.

Health Risks of Coronary Heart Disease: Literature Review

Health Risks of Coronary Heart Disease: Literature Review Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the main cause of death and disability in the United Kingdom (UK) and the sole most frequent cause of early death. In spite of a drop in CHD mortality in recent years, there are approximately 120,000 deaths per year in the UK making the quotient amongst the uppermost compared to the rest of the world (British Heart Foundation (BHF), 2003). Additionally, more than 1.5 million people in the UK are living with angina and 500,000 have heart failure (Department of Health (DH), 2004) commonly, although not wholly, caused by CHD. The World Health Organization (WHO) has forecast that by 2020, CHD will be the principle cause of death and morbidity throughout the world (Tunstall-Pedoe, 1999). However, not only does CHD affect the increasing rates of early deatjh, it can also cause individuals to experience â€Å"long-term chronic health problems†. There are numerous different kinds of cardiac illnesses that include: â€Å"congenital abnormalities, heart rhythm disturbances, valvular disease, acute coronary syndromes and heart failure† (Jones, 2003). It is important to note that the latter two conditions are more likely to affect older people and are the most prevalent among those with CHD (Rawlings-Anderson and Johnson, 2003). This essay will critically analyse the literature pertaining to the one of the most relevant health risks of CHD, that of chronic heart failure. The literature to be reviewed will analyse the issues that affect self-care in heart failure. To enable this review a comprehensive search of relevant databases such as CINAHL and the British Nursing Index was undertaken. Similarly, a thorough search of relevant nursing journals such as Nursing Standard, Nursing Times, British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, and British Journal of Nursing was also carried out. Also a general internet search using the keywords CHD, BHF, long-term chronic health problems, acute coronary syndromes, chronic heart failure, prevalence and associated factors was also employed. The rationale for choosing heart failure is that every year 63 000 new cases are reported in the UK and it is increasing in prevalence and incidence affecting more than 900 000 people per annum (Petersen et al, 2002). Heart failure presents a major predicament with regard to its effect on the individual sufferers, their significant others and also on healthcare measures and supply. People with heart failure by and large suffer from recurrent episodes of acute exacerbation of their symptoms. As a consequence, admission to hospital is great and accounts for approximately 5 percent of all admissions to general medical or elderly care hospital beds within the UK. Readmission rates are as high as 50 percent in the six months following the original stay in hospital (Nicholson, 2007). It is posited that experience of illness and grim clinical outcomes are fundamentally as a result of uncontrolled symptoms through non-adherence to suggested medication and lifestyle modifications (DH, 2000a). There are various current Governmental guidelines that expound the virtues of self-care of long-term conditions. However, The Department of Health’s (DOH, 2006) Supporting people with long-term conditions to self-care: A guide to developing local strategies and practices guide proposes that self-care is any actions or behaviours that help individuals to cope with the effects that their long-term condition has on their activities of daily living. These actions or behavioural changes hope to empower sufferers to deal with the emotional aspects, adhere to treatment routines and maintain the important aspects of life such as work and socialising. A thorough research of the literature surrounding self-care for long-term conditions such as heart failure has shown that several factors are in existence that influence self-care in heart failure. These include: socio-economics, condition-related, treatment related and patient related factors (Sabate, 2003, Leventhal et al, 2005). Socio-economic standing, degree of education, monetary restrictions and social support have all been emphasised as effecting self-care in patients with heart failure. Low socio-economic status and lack of education have been established to be significant factors relating to non-adherence and inadequate self-care (Gary, 2006; Van der Wal et al, 2006). Wu et al (2007) found that those on minimal incomes were regarded as high risk for non-adherence to medication. While a superior level of education was also found to be a major predictor of adherence in research papers by Evangelista and Dracup (2000) and Rockwell and Riegel (2001). Financial restraints connected to the price of medication have been acknowledged as a hindrance to adherence (Evangelista et al, 2003; Horowitz et al 2004; Wu et al, 2008). However, these reports have been performed in the United States (US) and in the main correlate to lack of medical insurance under a Medicaid scheme. It is therefore suggested that additional research is required to ascertain whether the price of medication notably impacts on adherence in the National Health Service (NHS). A number of studies have observed that social support is an important issue in influencing self-care (Ni et al, 1999; Artininan et al, 2002; Scotto, 2005; Schnell et al, 2006; Wu et al, 2008). Ortega-Gutierrez et al (2006) found a significant contrary relationship between perceived level of social support and level of self-care. Similarly, Chung et al (2006a) examined the bearing of marital status on medication adherence and found that married patients had considerably enhanced adherence to medication than those living by themselves. Patients with a partner took more doses, were aware of the importance of taking medications on time and were more knowledgeable about names and doses. By contrast however, Evangelista et al (2001) found no association between social support and adherence to medication and lifestyle behaviours, although the authors suggest this may be due to the high levels of social support reported in this sample. The method of social support has been illustrated in numerous qualitative studies. Stromberg et al (1999) explained the important role spouses performed in medication management such as giving their partners their tablets at prescribed times. Wu et al (2007) found that a supportive family helped with medication adherence by collecting medications from the pharmacy and filling dosage boxes. These authors deduced that those devoid of the effective commitment of relatives in self-care, some patients would have trouble sticking to their drug routine. The high intensity of social support was also shown to be a feature of patients considered to be knowledgeable in self-care (Riegel et al, 2007a). A number of factors relating to specific aspects of the condition have been described in the literature. These include the nature and severity of symptoms, functional ability, prior experience, the presence of comorbidities and cognitive functioning. Severity of symptoms and functional ability are important indicators of behaviour. Symptom severity was an independent predictor of self-care in a study by Rockwell and Riegel (2001). Wu et al (2007) found that patients with poor functional ability as measured by the New York Heart Association functional classification (NYHA) had poorer self-care. However, prior experience of hospitalisation may also affect self-care with patients having prior hospitalization episodes more likely to carry out self-care effectively. It is suggested that this may be due to a high level of motivation to stay well and avoid hospitalization. Level of experience or time since diagnosis may also be important factors in determining self-care ability (Carlson et al, 2001). Although the precise mechanism is unclear, it may be related to an enhanced ability to recognise changing symptoms and the use of tried and tested strategies in response to symptoms. The presence of comorbidities, especially if symptoms are similar to those of heart failure, makes the recognition and subsequent management of symptoms difficult. Chriss et al (2004) found the number of comorbidities to be a significant predictor of self-care, those with few comorbidities having enhanced self-care. Self-management requires patients to make decisions and take actions in response to recognition of symptoms. However, cognitive deficits in heart failure have been well documented (Ekman, 1998 and Bennett, 2003). It is estimated that between 30 percent and 50 percent of heart failure patients have cognitive impairment (Leventhal et al, 2005). Wolfe et al (2005) found specific cognitive deficits of memory, attention and executive functioning, which were not related to illness severity. These deficits may impair the perception and interpretation of early symptoms and reasoning ability required for self-management. This is supported by Dickson et al (2007b) who found a correlation between impaired cognition and individuals inconsistently demonstrating effective self-care behaviour. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, common in heart failure, also deprives the body of sleep and has consequences for cognitive functioning and decision-making (Trupp and Corwin, 2008). Perhaps as a result, sleepi ness during the day has also been linked to poor self-care (Riegel et al, 2007b). Adherence to medication and lifestyle guidance has been linked to treatment-related factors such as the effects of medication or treatments, the intricacy of regimes and numerous changes in treatment. Riegel and Carlson (2002) and Van Der Wal et al (2006) found that adherence to a low sodium diet was hindered by the foul-tasting low salt food and problems when eating out in a restaurant. Limiting fluid intake was also controlled by thirst. Bennett et al (2005) found that the taking of diuretics disrupted sleep and this was a significant factor in non-adherence. Concerns about medication side effects are also of major concern to patients (Stromberg et al, 1999; Riegel and Carlson, 2002). The complexity of the treatment regime as indicated by a high number of administration times, for example, has been shown to decrease medication adherence (Riegel and Carlson, 2002; George et al, 2007; Van der Wal et al, 2007). It is suggested that individual patient characteristics have a major part in self-care behaviour. Age and gender may have some bearing on behaviour although there is relatively limited evidence. The presence of depression also had a negative impact on self-care ability. Chung et al (2006b) examined gender differences in adherence to a low salt diet in patients with heart failure. They found that adherence was higher in women. Women were also further capable of making nutritional decisions. This is in contrast to Gary (2006) who researched the self-care routine of women with heart failure and established that a only a small number of women in this sample abided by the suggested low salt diet, exercised or weighed themselves daily. The only behaviour that was practiced without fail was taking medication. Hardly any women recognised symptoms of heart failure or checked and monitored their symptoms on a regular basis. Chriss et al (2004) found that males and increasing age were separate, significant predictors of self-care. However, the relationship between age and self-care behaviour continues to be ambiguous. Evangelista et al (2003) found that elderly patients with heart failure had better adherence to medication, diet and exercise guidance than younger patients. Notably, depression influences the capacity to perform self-care behaviours successfully. There appears to be a preponderance of people who have heart failure who are also depressed. Approximately, 11 percent of out-patients and over 50 percent of hospitalised patients with heart failure are depressed (Leventhal et al, 2005). Depression has been revealed to be an important aspect predicting self-care (Dickson et al, 2006; Lesman-Leegte et al, 2006; Riegel et al, 2007b). DiMatteo et al (2000) declares that non-adherence is three times higher in depressed patients compared with those who are not depressed. The coexistence of depression i n patients with heart failure makes them vulnerable to inadequate self-care. CHD is a major cause of death and disability in the UK and is also the main cause of premature death. CHD also causes its sufferers to have long-term chronic comorbidities. One of those comorbitities is heart failure. Heart failure is increasing in prevalence and incidence every year in the UK. It not only affects the patient but also their family. Similarly, the incidences of heart failure have a massive impact on health care provision and resources. This is a consequence of the frequent acute exacerbations of the patient’s symptoms. Self-care of long-term conditions such as heart failure appear to be the Government’s current preoccupation and guidelines exist that offer strategies to those with long-term conditions that may help sufferers cope with the impact that their illness has on their everyday lives. However, evidence exists that show that there are certain factors that act as barriers and influence self-care in heart failure. These factors include lack of educa tion, financial constraints and social support. Cognitive ability, modification of life-styles, relationships, gender, age and mental illness have all been found to have an impact on the self-care of heart failure particularly with regards to medication adherence. There appears to be a dearth of research undertaken in the UK on the issues influencing self-care in heart failure. Therefore, it is recommended that further research is undertaken in the UK, as the health care and welfare provision is vastly different from that in the US. This may result in very dissimilar research outcomes. References Artinian NT, Magnan M, Sloan M, Lange MP (2002) Self-care behaviours among patients with heart failure, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 31, 3, 161-72 Bennett SJ, Sauve MJ (2003) Cognitive deficits in patients with heart failure: A review of the literature, Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 18, 3, 219-42 Bennett SJ, Lane KA, Welch J, Perkins SM, Brater DC, Murray MD (2005) Medication and dietary compliance beliefs in heart failure, Western Journal of Nursing Research, 27, 8, 977-93 British Heart Foundation (2003) Coronary Heart Disease Statistics, London, BHF Carlson B, Riegel B, Moser DK (2001) Self-care abilities of patients with heart failure, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 30 5, 351-9 Chriss PM, Sheposh J, Carlson B, Riegel B (2004) Predictors of successful heart failure self-care maintenance in the first three months after hospitalisation, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 33, 6, 345-53 Chung ML, Moser DK, Lennie TA, Riegel BJ (2006a) Presence of a spouse improves adherence to medication in patients with heart failure, Journal of Cardiac Failure, 12, 6, S1-S100 Chung ML, Moser DK, Lennie TA, Worrall-Carter L, Bentley B, Trupp R, Armentano DS (2006b) Gender differences in adherence to the sodium-restricted diet in patients with heart failure, Journal of Cardiac Failure, 12, 8, 628-34 Department of Health (2006) Supporting people with long-term conditions to self-care: A guide to developing local strategies and practices, London, The Stationery Office Dickson VV, Deatrick JA, Goldberg LR, Riegel B (2006) A mixed methods study exploring the factors that facilitate and impede heart failure self-care, Journal of Cardiac Failure, 12, 6, S124-5 Dickson VV, Tkacs N, Riegel B (2007b) Cognitive influences on self-care decision making in persons with heart failure, American Heart Journal, 154, 424-31 DiMatteo MR, Lepper HS, Croghan TW (2000) Depression is a risk factor for non-compliance with medical treatment, Archives of Internal Medicine, 160, 14, 2101-7 Department of Health (2000a) National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease: Modern Standards and Service Models, London, The Stationery Office Department of Health (2004) NHS Improvement Plan: Putting People at the Heart of Public Services, London, The Stationery Office Ekman I, Andersson B, Ehnfors M, Matejka G, Persson B, Fagerberg B (1998) Feasibility of a nurse-monitored, outpatient-care programme for elderly patients with moderate-to-severe chronic heart failure, European Heart Journal, 19, 1254-60 Evangelista LS and Dracup K (2000) A closer look at compliance research in heart failure patients in the last decade, Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing, 15, 3, 97-103 Evangelista LS, Berg J and Dracup K (2001) Relationship between psychosocial variables and compliance in patients with heart failure, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 30, 4, 294-301 Evangelista LS, Doering LV, Dracup K, Westlake C, Hamilton M, Fonarow GC (2003) Compliance behaviours of elderly patients with advanced heart failure, Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 18, 3, 197-208 Gary R (2006) Self-care practices in women with diastolic heart failure, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 35, 1, 9-19 George J, Shalansky SJ (2007) Predictors of refill non-adherence in patients with heart failure, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 63, 4, 488-93 Horowitz CR, Rein SB, Leventhal H (2004) A story of maladies, misconceptions and mishaps: effective management of heart failure, Social Science Medicine, 58, 3, 631-43 Jones I (2003) Acute coronary syndromes: identification and patient care, Professional Nursing, 18, 5, 289-92 Lesman-Leegte I, Jaarsma T, Sanderson R, Van Veldhuisen DJ (2006) Depressive symptoms are prevalent amongst elderly hospitalised heart failure patients, European Journal of Heart Failure, 8, 634-40 Leventhal MJE, Riegel B, Carlson B, De Geest S (2005) Negotiating compliance in heart failure: remaining issues and questions, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 4, 298-307 Ni H, Nauman D, Burgess D, Wise K, Crispell K, Hershberger RE (1999) Factors influencing knowledge of and adherence to self-care among patients with heart failure, Archives of Internal Medicine, 159, 1613-9 Ortega-Gutierrez A, Comin-Colit J, Quinones S (2006) Influence of perceived psychosocial support on self-care behaviour of patients with heart failure managed in nurse-led heart failure clinics, Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing, Spring: 160 Nicholson C (2007) Heart failure: A clinical nursing handbook, Chichester, John Wiley and Sons Petersen S, Rayner M, Wolstenholme J (2002) Coronary heart disease statistics: heart failure supplement, London, British Heart Foundation Riegel B, Carlson B (2002) Facilitators and barriers to heart failure self-care, Patient Education and Counselling, 46, 287-95 Riegel B, Dickson VV, Goldberg LR, Deatrik J (2007a) Factors associated with the development of expertise in heart failure self-care, Nursing Research, 56, 4, 235-43 Riegel B, Dickson VV, Goldberg LR (2007b) Social support predicts success in self-care in heart failure patients with excessive daytime sleepiness, Journal of Cardiac Failure, 13, S183-4 Rockwell JM, Riegel B (2001) Predictors of self-care in persons with heart failure, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 30, 18-25 Sabate E. (2003) Adherence to long-term therapies: Evidence for action, Geneva, WHO Schnell KN, Naimark BJ, McClement SE (2006) Influential factors for self-care in ambulatory care heart failure patients: A qualitative perspective, Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 16, 1, 13-19 Scotto CJ (2005) The lived experience of adherence for patients with heart failure, Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 25, 3, 158-63 Stromberg A, Bromstrom A, Dahlstrom U, Fridlund B (1999) Factors influencing patient compliance with therapeutic regimens in chronic heart failure: A critical incident technique, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 28, 334-41 Trupp R, Corwin EJ (2008) Sleep-disordered breathing, cognitive functioning and adherence in heart failure: Linked through pathology? Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing, 23, 1, 32-6 Van der Wal MHL, Jaarsma T, Moser DK, Veeger NJGM, Van Gilst WH, Van Veldhuisen DJ (2006) Compliance in heart failure patients: the importance of knowledge and beliefs, European Heart Journal, 27, 4, 434-40 Wolfe R, Worrall-Carter L, Foister K, Keks N, Howe V (2005) Assessment of cognitive function in heart failure patients, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 5, 158-64 Wu J, Lennie TA, Moser DK (2007) Predictors of medication adherence using a multidimensional adherence model in patients with heart failure, Journal of Cardiac Failure, 13, 6, S75 Wu J, Moser DK, Lennie TA, Peden AR, Chen Y, Heo S (2008) Factors influencing medication adherence in patients with heart failure, Heart Lung The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 37, 8-16 Tunstall-Pedoe H (1999) Contributions of trends in survival and coronary-event rates to changes in coronary heart disease mortality: 10-year results from 37 WHO MONICA project populations: Monitoring trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease, Lancet, 353, 9164, 1547-1557 Rawlings-Anderson K, Johnson K (2003) Myocardial infarction and older people, Nursing Older People, 15, 6, 29-34

Representation of the Characteristics of Romanticism Essay example -- R

Romanticism is a philosophical and artistic movement of the eighteenth and nineteenth century that marked a change in the emotional core of literature, philosophy, art, religion, and politics in reaction on the enlightenment. It is a contrast to neo-classicism characterized by the predominance of imagination over reason and formal rules, the love of nature —nature is good; cities are harmful to humans—, the power of individual, an interest in human rights, sentimentality, childhood innocence, the revolutionary spirit and melancholy. Romantic writers reject most of traditional form and themes. According to the Musical Quarterly, probably no two persons may exactly the same conception of what romanticism is. Victor Hugo for instance, defines romanticism has â€Å"liberalism in nature† The Romantic Movement was marked by several authors including William Wordsworth, Alphonse de Lamartine, and John Keats. The following lines are going to introduce these authors by giving a brief background and detailed information about their works in accordance with romanticism characteristics. William Wordsworth, a major English romantic poet, born in 1770 and died in 1850. He writes his poetry as an analysis upon nature. Even though Wordsworth is very much into nature he still keeps his identity as human. He is a great romantic writer because his writings reflect characteristics of the movement. As a poet, he wrote numerous poems and odes—Lyric poems in the form of an address to a particular subject, meant to be sung—. In this part you are going to be introduced to one of his famous odes, Ode: Intimations of Immortality. This poem is long and complicated but shows the Wordsworth connection to nature and how he makes an effort to understand why hu... ...ve the most is Wordsworth for he always pay attention to the details of all that is physical around him Lamartine in The Lake implores time to stop. But we all know time cannot stop flowing; therefore we must enjoy the present while in the presence of our beloved ones. Nature is moral guide and universal mentor ( Wordsworth) For Lamartine, nature was a manifestation of divine grandeur. He believed that contemplating it could stimulate religious faith. Works-cited Bernbaum, Ernest, The English Romantic Poets, New York: The Modern Language association, 1950 â€Å"To Autumn†, The Norton Anthology of World Literature Bloom, Harold, William Wordsworth, New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1985 â€Å"The Musical Quarterly† 84, No.1-94, No.3 (2000-2011): 307 JSTOR. Web 23 April 2012.http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.martinmethodist.edu/stable/738059>

Distance Learning Essay -- Education Educating Learn Essays

Distance Learning missing works cited Definition and Description of Distance Education Distance education is any academic learning method that lets the teacher and the student participate and communicate in a convenient manner, while sometimes in different places and sometimes at different times. The distance education concept has allowed a diverse set of individuals to continue their education, whether it is for personal or professional satisfaction. The teacher is still able to create, design, and plan with goals and objectives, and the student is able to learn and experience through the distance (Davey, 1999). Another word that is associated with distance learning is multimedia. With the use of multimedia, the learning is literally at the "fingertips" of the teacher and the learner. The long distance allows the multimedia, or the use of video, audio, graphics, images, animation, and text, to let the teacher relay information from one location to the learner in a totally different location. This is a process to use when face-to-face interaction is not possible (H ancock, 1999). A summative definition of distance education is a system of instructional learning in which the student(s), in groups or singly, and the teacher are physically separated. The methods of learning takes place with technology consisting of various combinations of telecommunications, hardware and software (Ely; Foley; Freeman, & Scheel, 1995). This learning promotes change in both business and education. This change has its features, benefits and concerns in both fields, which will be discussed (Holloway, & Ohler, 1999). Business and Instructional Technology Side of Distance Education Inc. magazine reports that in the business and instru... ...mind (Hancock, 1999). Holloway and Ohler suggest to keep talking and reading literature about distance education. Other educational systems and organizations may be willing to share resources and technologies associated with distance education (1995). Also, the technologies need to associate to the learning environment. Blumenstyk, Goldie, and Kelly state that "institutions should not go overboard with technology, but to keep it in perspective as one aspect of a balanced educational philosophy" (1999). At this point, distance education is starting to become an outstanding use of learning in higher education. Distance education can be classified as an innovation that combines theory and implementation in "educational technology", better than other trends (Ely; Foley; Freeman, & Scheel, 1995). Distance education is part of out past, present, and future.

William Howard Taft Essay -- essays research papers

William Howard Taft William Taft was a nominated by his successor, Teddy Roosevelt. He was nominated for the Republican Party in the Presidential Race in 1908, in which he defeated William Jennings Bryant of the Democratic Party. He was called a â€Å"trust buster†, by people against his beliefs and decisions. In his Inaugural Address, he stated that many ideas in which supported Teddy Roosevelt. One, Interstate commerce railroads was a large element to the country and market of the railroad business. He wanted them to be more secure and have the Industry be more productive. Taft, in (1910) created the Mann-Elkins Act which strengthened Interstate Commerce Commission, made the original long-short haul clause more effective, and created more government control on railroad businesses. Taft wanted to reach a new efficiency and wanted to push his â€Å"successors† ideas. The 16th and 17th Amendments were passed during his Presidency to create an Income tax, and providing for the people of a state electing US Senators instead of the state legislature. Two states were also added to the Union. Taft commented about the revision of the Dingly Act. In 1909, he called a special session to create the Payne-Aldrich Tariff that seemed to be a protectionist measure and Taft calling it, â€Å"a really good bill†. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff was the first changes to the Dingley Act in which increased rates on manufactured goods and helped the Industrial Northeast but angered the Midwest. The Intervention...

Prisoners with Special Needs Essay

Prior to the 1960s, criminals were all handled similarly and the way in which probation and parole was handled had become a regular routine. However, during the 1960s, the makeup of the typical offender began to change. The corrections system began to recognize the need to manage certain groups of offenders differently. Offenders with the tendency for violence, a history of sexual assault, a physical problem, mental illness, or infectious disease are among the group classified as special offenders, along with juveniles and the elderly (Seiter, 2011). These groups of people require treatment outside of the normal approach to corrections (Seiter, 2011). These offenders financially strain the prison systems at both state and federal levels but must be treated with individualized care in order for rehabilitation to be effective and successful, and for the elderly, the True Grit program has proven to be beneficial to their overall health and wellbeing while incarcerated. Special needs, mentally ill, and substance-abusing offenders require specialized treatment in order to be effectively rehabilitated. This can affect the state and federal prison system in many ways. The increase in juvenile, female, and elderly inmates has created a more diverse prison population and affects state and federal prisons by creating the need for a more diverse corrections staff. A 2006 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that over half of all jail and prison inmates have mental health issues; an estimated 1.25 million suffered from mental illness, over four times the number in 1998 (Horowitz, 2013). Prisons reportedly house more mentally ill patients than hospitals, and mentally ill inmates are generally incarcerated for crimes of survival that possible could have been prevented (Horowitz, 2013). They require extensive supervision due to their  tendency to be suicidal, specialists to diagnose and administer treatment, and medications to stabilize them. Substance-abusing offenders make up the majority of the prison population as a study examined 75% of prison inmates were involved with drugs or alcohol at the time of arrest (Cropsey, 2008). Substance-abusing offenders burden the prison system by having an estimated 95% recidivism rate due to relapse (Cropsey, 2013). This can be due to the lack of drug treatment programs available and the access to drugs in prison. These offenders require drug and alcohol abuse counseling and specialized medical care for drug-related illnesses. Juvenile and elderly offenders require segregation from other inmates and elderly inmates may experience accessibility issues and require low energy recreational and work activities (University of Phoenix, 2014). Though the specialized care needed for special offenders can be a financial burden on the prison system, it is necessary to satisfy the goals of the corrections system. If inmates are not properly treated, this will only lead to a revolving door in prison in which inmates constantly are shuffled back and forth in and out of prison. The treatment and counseling services that an inmate participates in can effectively help them to rehabilitate and transition into productive citizens in the community upon release. Most drug and alcohol abusers commit crimes only when under the influence or to obtain their next high (Horowitz, 2013). Also, mentally ill inmates are too often incarcerated while awaiting trial instead of being placed in mental hospitals or treatment centers that can nurture the healing process and administer medications that can place them in a stable mental state. If these groups of offenders received the treatment that they require in order to be productive, they will go on to live law abiding lives outside of prison. Elderly inmates often have mobility issues, suffer from mental illnesses more common with age, and spend a majority of their time in the prison infirmary. True Grit is a program that originated in The Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City, and aims to provide a reason for geriatric inmates to get up in the mornings. The program benefits the prison system in that all resources it requires are allocated through donations and  no prison funds are utilized, it has decreased geriatric infirmary visits, decreased the need for psychotropic medications prescribed to its participants, improved the general wellbeing of its participants, and has reduced the fear of dying alone in its participants (Harrison, 2006). The True Grit program provides a structure living environment for elderly prison inmates and allows them to participate in recreational activities that improve the mobility of their bodies and engage them in a social and nurturing environment. The program also helps participants apply for early compassionate release and adds humanity to the prison system by giving inmates hope. The population of special offenders in prisons has grown at a steady rate. As a result, the need for more individualized care and treatment programs tailored toward their needs has grown as well. Each group of special offenders requires different treatment and approaches in order to be successful candidates for law abiding citizens once released and the treatment they receive while incarcerated can directly impact their success rate. It is financially expensive to administer the programs necessary for the treatment of special offenders but it is also cost affective to treat and rehabilitate whether than risk increases in recidivism rates for ignoring their needs. There are programs available to assist each group and encourage them throughout their treatment and among them is the True Grit program that encourages the elderly inmate population to live fuller lives even behind prison bars and has led to a decrease in the need for medical care and use of psychotropic medications. Programs like it should be utilized more often to obtain similar results and therefore foster the goal of corrections of rehabilitating and decreasing recidivism rates. Cropsey, K.L. (2008). Specialized Prisons and Services: Results from a National Survey. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2350234/ Harrison, M.T. (2006). True: An Innovative Program for Elderly Inmates. Retrieved from http://www.aca.org/fileupload/177/prasannak/Stewart_dec06.pdf Horowitz, A. (2013, February 4). Mental Illness Soars in Prisons, Jails While Inmates Suffer. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/mental-illness-prisons-jails-inmates_n_2610062.html Seiter, R.P. (2011). Corrections: An Introduction (3rd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection University of Phoenix. (2014). Special Offenders [Multimedia]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, CJA234-Introduction to Corrections website.

Do We Need Correctional Facility Accreditation? Essay

What’s the Utility of Accrediting Correctional Facilities? An increasing number of correctional facilities are private corporations.  Ã‚   Why?   Because private companies have indicated that they can save more money than it costs the various state governments, to house prisoners.   Because there’s no government intervention, â€Å"ACA† or the American Correctional Association is an organization developed to address help these facilities regarding issues on facility administration, and seeing to the health safety and welfare of inmates—or, â€Å"accreditation†. However, no one really knows what the accreditation standards are.   According to the article, â€Å"A Dubious Distinction†, written by Silja J.A. Talvi for the newsmagazine, In These Times, â€Å"The ACA’s accreditation process is kept secret from the public; all that outsiders know for sure is which facilities have been accredited.†Ã‚   In fact, the ACA itself is a private, non-governmental organization with no authority to change prison conditions or to enforce standards.   Even on their Web site at http://www.aca.org there is a general questions and answers section for correctional facilities managers who may have about the process, but no detailed information about it. The Pros and Cons of Accreditation There seem to be one outstanding pro and con on the subject of correctional facility accreditation.   The pro is this, according to the ACA Web site, â€Å"Accredited agencies have a stronger defense against litigation through †¦ the demonstration of a ‘good faith’ effort to improve conditions of confinement.†Ã‚  Ã‚   The con is this: accredited prisons offer no benefits to the staff and inmates. No Conning the Convicts: More Problems in Prisons Silvi also notes that accreditation does not translate into better facilities for inmates, or better pay for employees, such as the prison guards.   Ms. Talvari notes some specific incidents where accreditation meant worse, not better facility conditions: In July 2004 at Crowley Correctional Facility the inmates who had complained about conditions (e.g. conditions of confinement, physical abuse, etc.) rioted, destroying cells, furniture, plumbing and equipment. At the time only Guards watched over 1, 122 prisoners. In September 2004, at Kentucky’s Lee Adjustment Center, prisoners also rioted. Correctional officers working there made $8.00 an hour, and sometimes work 12-hour shifts. These are just a few of the incidents that have occurred at ACA-accredited prisons over the years. Accredited facilities don’t seem to provide any benefits to the public, the inmates or facility employees.   Also, there’s too much secrecy about the accrediting association, too many problems associated with the accredited institutions.   It seems the only benefit to accreditation, is   just as the site says:   a way to protect the facilities and their owners from lawsuits, rather than to make prisons safe and humane. These are the reason that I’m against it. Running the Asylum References American Correctional Association.   Retrieved December 1, 2008, from http://www.aca.org American Correctional Association.   Retrieved December 1, 2008, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.aca.org/standards/faq.asp Talvi, Silja, J.A. (2005, February 4) .A Dubious Distinction. In These Times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved from http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/1920 Talvi, Silja, J.A. (2005, February 28) .Cashing in on the Cons. In These Times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved from http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/1924 Hambourger, Tim (2008, December 1)   Dollars and Sins:   Privatized Prisons and the â€Å"Tough on Crime† Penology.   Retrieved from http://www.princeton.edu/~dands/editorial/prison