Discussion: Alexander Maconochie and PSI Report (Research Paper Sample)

The Correction Module two Discussion: Alexander Maconochie &PSI Report
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1. Alexander Maconochie
Maconochie is a retired British naval captain and a professor of geography, he is also referred to as the father of parole. He saw correction of society is a way more important than punishing the offender or convicts. Maconochie was the head English penal colony where the prisoner's commitment to change and abandon the wayward behaviors directly influence how long he or she will sentenced (Carey, 2019).He developed a technique known as marks system which changed the prisoner's determination for sentencing from time to good conduct and hard work in the community. Mark system is a technique designed by Alexander Maconochie that awarded credits like marks for good behavior and hard work for prisoners that were used to buy time and goods, the opposite behaviors were awarded by taking away the credits or reducing the marks (Leanne, 2019).
In the year 1840 Maconochie was appointed the head of penal in Norfolk Island where he had a chance to test his mark system experiment. The credits were given according to the amount of labor they offer and the good behavior they portray during their period in prison. The advancement in work ethics and good behavior earned them a lot of freedom and privileges in life. Marks system enabled many convicts to shift from strict imprisonment to labor working zones, some enjoyed released on conditions and finally to complete freedom. Norfolk Island had notorious prisoners brought all the way from England and America but within a four years period Maconochie’s system had transformed the notorious violent prisoners to order and live a peaceful life. The chain gains and flogging in prisoners were things of the past he even introduced health care, adequate food, reading materials and disciplinary hearing (Carey, 2019).
However, despite Maconochie’s successes and praise for his humanity he was dismissed in the year 1844 by many Australian influential colonists who had conservative ideas and beliefs that prisoners had no second chance in life rather than to be flogged and kept behind bars (John, 1956). The leaders feared that his success my lead to revolution and fear if he continues he will lose his political power and governance. Currently the leaders in position also feel threatened by some prisoners and sought to prefer conservative ideas about the position of prisoners as far as second chance is concerned. Some influential leaders ensure that their threats don’t get probation as an option on the table. The extreme cases though not confirmed statistics the influential leaders affect the parole board giving slightest chance for the accused or the prisoners or the offender to get released on parole. Many influential leaders have different thoughts about second chance for prisoners that’s why they are seen to oppose arguments that support more resources to be allocated to probation facilities and rehabilitation centers. The reason some motion about prisoners' welfare doesn’t go far in parliament is because of the conservative ideas and thoughts about some influential leaders who oppose and block those efforts.
2. Presentence Investigation Report (PSI)
Presentence investigation report or simply PSI report is a precise document used in court by the judge to effectively determine the right punishment for the defendant for the crime committed (Morgan, 2017). PSI report is a very important piece of document in court as far as justice for the defendant is concerned since the year 1920 judges have been using it to provide sentences. The original purpose was to provide the judge with the correct information about the defendant because it contains background information, upbringing, health, personal history with drugs and substance abuse and past criminal behaviors convicted and recorded.in other words the PSI report has all the relevant information about defendant that would affect how severe the sentence would be.
Preparing the PSI report is not an easy task because it involves a lot of time and movement to find required information including to cond