Documented Essay Final Draft

Name: Kadene Kay- Ann Richards
Registration Number: 620079441
Course: Foun1013
Assignment: Exit Portfolio

Reflective Cover Letter
Reading and writing was a very important part of my childhood experiences and memories. My mother was never a good reader and she consistently forced me to read the Sunday Gleaner to her every Sunday evening. At the age of nine, I was a very intelligent reader. However, I found difficulties reading the Bible and expressing myself through writing. At times I would cry because the other children at church would laugh at me. My church, high school and family have paved the way for me to achieve my goals of becoming a student at the University of the West Indies majoring in Psychology.
Firstly, the Critical Reading and Writing in the Social Sciences (FOUN1013) has helped me to become more of a critical thinker, reader and writer. This course has enabled me to distinguish academic writing from other kinds of writing. Before doing the course, I could only express the way I feel through a song, not by writing essays and engaging in speeches. However, documents such as “Crooked and Fallacious Thinking”, “The ‘A’ Paper” and the “Student Paper” have helped me to integrate my thoughts and ideas with those of other writers. The seminars and lecturers made it clear that when writing my voice should be heard and the style of my writing should be seen.
Secondly, the library session I had gave me pivotal information on how to find and cite my sources correctly. Sometimes I was frustrated and discouraged when I could not find sources or was sent back to the drawing board to find a new topic. But this tedious process is preparing me to become an academic writer not only in my discipline but other disciplines. Week after week I was disappointed in the grades I got on my assignments. The comments from my tutor proved to me that I am not reading, thinking and writing critically. At times I wish the course was a yearlong course. Copying and pasting was one of my creative tactics in writing my essays. However, I have learned that such methods are unlawful and can lead to serious punishments. When writing we should respect and show recognition to those who we have drawn ideas and thoughts from.
Thirdly, I found it very difficult revising the essay because there were too many errors I had not seen and read before handing the paper in to Turnitin and my tutor. My notes and readings from Bazerman (2010) has helped me revised this essay a little better than before. I am now able to participate wisely in oral and written discussions on topics applicable to my field. Changes have been made to my topic, the structure of essay and the style of writing again to ensure that content and analysis is relevant and accurate.
Finally, I may not be the world’s most famous writer or reader but I am the only one preventing myself from accomplishing that status. The lectures, seminars and consultations have given me greater insight on how I should write and how I should read. Working together with my tutor and classmates made me realize that everyone has their own unique way of expressing themselves. Thus, my reading, writing, thinking and speaking should be more critical and academic. This course has made me realize that I have greater potential but hard work needs to be done to achieve the status of a critical writer.

Broad Topic: The Role of Psychology in Social Institutions
Narrowed Topic: The Psychology of Crime
Research Question: What is the role of Forensic Psychologists in preventing/reducing Recidivism?
Recidivism is a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behaviour especially criminal behaviour. It is one of the most primitive concepts in law enforcement. Law enforcers and forensic psychologists work hand in hand to decrease the rates of criminality and recidivism in the Contemporary Caribbean society. However, is the crime rate in the Caribbean society decreasing? Forensic Psychology is a vast and fast developing field which allows those trained in psychology to have a role to play in the Justice System. A forensic psychologist is one who studies the unlawful mind and conducts the profiling of offenders. Although there is tension between law enforcers and forensic psychologists seen on the news, the Caribbean society desires to see a reduction in corruption and deviance. Forensic Psychologists play an important role in preventing recidivism by managing the recidivism risk among criminals, making psychological assessments and ensuring criminals are treated fairly. Firstly, the managing of recidivism risk of criminals is one of the most important roles of a forensic psychologist which helps to reduce recidivism and crime. The identification of criminals is also known as Criminal Profiling. Criminal Profiling is the analysis of a person 's psychological and behavioral characteristics, so as to assess whether they are likely to have committed a crime under investigation. The Forensic Psychologists use consistent methods to assess the risk of re-offense in the forensic population. Risk management strategies have proven to be effective in reducing recidivism among all criminals (Andrews & Bonta, 2010). Bonta and Andrews (2007) have produced empirical and theoretical data in “real-world setting” For example, the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model is presently used to manage the risk of recidivism. Formal methods of managing the risk can be categorized as actuarial or clinical. However, some risk prediction processes are not always successful when a high-risk criminal is released and does not recidivate or when a low-risk criminal is released and recidivates. Despite the challenges faced by forensic psychologists on a daily basis, they have led to the success of identifying notorious terrorists, murderers, rapists and thieves etc. The effectiveness of the risk management of criminals has led to significant reductions in criminal recidivism. Secondly, the role of forensic psychologists is to make psychological assessment of criminals. They assess criminals to determine whether they are fit to plead their case in court or are likely to resort to recidivism. This psychological assessment entails questions about family background, criminal record, education, attitudes, psychological characteristics and domestic circumstances. Many criminals have psychological disorders and thus psychological evaluations are provided for both juveniles and adults. The establishment of recovery services are used to reduce the probability of recidivism. Psychological assessment also provides the court with valuable information which is used to develop a recuperation plan for criminals. An inclusive report is done which will recapitulate the profile of the criminal. The report includes solutions regarding the offender’s activity and recommendations for treatment. Forensic Psychologists also provide counselling and psychotherapy for the victims of crimes, especially vicious crimes. Frequently, juveniles and adults commit criminal acts because they have psychological problems, and rehabilitation of those psychological problems is of vital importance to prevent recidivism. The assessment of the criminal also helps determine the mental disease that may prevent them from accepting the wrongfulness of their behavior. Consequently, the psychological assessment of these criminals by Forensic Psychologists has led to a reduction in recidivism. It has also reduce crime and violence in the Caribbean society. Thirdly, the role of forensic psychologists is to ensure fair treatment of criminals. Franklin (2011) posited that adults and juveniles who commit criminal acts are in need of psychological treatment due to their psychological problems. The psychological assessment of these criminals can help determine dispositions and treatment needs to avoid recidivism. The punishment of criminals while in prison can be effective in changing behavior but sometimes works in the short term. The punishment of these criminals should be used in psychologically informed and effective ways. However, criminals tend to rebel against the Justice system when they are treated unfairly in court and prison. This is causes recidivism rates to increase annually. Rodley (2009) developed in his book that offenders are normally tortured and treated with cruelty. Despite the cruelty, criminals also accept poor prison conditions. Offenders should be treated with fairness so that they will not retaliate on the Justice System when they are released from prison. Forensic Psychologists have established the initiative of offering prisoners job skills to reduce criminal aggression and recidivism. But forensic psychologists need to know the motive behind the criminal behavior to know the best treatment. For example, in Jamaica a person who commits crimes when drunk but not when sober is more likely to suffer from Substance Abuse. Treating this problem may diminish the criminal behavior. Therefore, Forensic Psychologists are working hand in hand with law enforcers to prevent and reduce the rates of recidivism in our Caribbean society. Ultimately, the role of Forensic Psychologists have led to a reduction in crime and recidivism in our Contemporary Caribbean society. We tend to globalize and think that mental illnesses are the causes of recidivism. But generally our human tendencies are to’ see it now, want it now’. Therefore we find all the means and ways of getting what we want unlawfully. This leads to deviance and crime. The identification of criminals, making psychological assessments and ensuring fair treatment criminals has helped to reduce the rates of recidivism in society.

References
Andrews, D.A., & Bonta, J. (2010). Rehabilitating criminal justice policy and practise. Psychology, Public Policy &Law, 16, 39-55.
Bonta, J. & Andrews, D.A. (2007). Risk-need-responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation (Corrections Research User Report No. 2007-06). Ottawa, Ontario: Public Safety Canada.
Franklin, D. (2011) OVERVIEW AND ORGANIZATION. Retrieved November 2, 2014, from http://pschyologyinfo.com/
Rodley, N. (2009). The treatment of prisoners under international law/ Nigel Rodley with Matt Pollard. (3rd ed.). Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press
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References: Andrews, D.A., & Bonta, J. (2010). Rehabilitating criminal justice policy and practise. Psychology, Public Policy &Law, 16, 39-55. Bonta, J. & Andrews, D.A. (2007). Risk-need-responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation (Corrections Research User Report No. 2007-06). Ottawa, Ontario: Public Safety Canada. Franklin, D. (2011) OVERVIEW AND ORGANIZATION. Retrieved November 2, 2014, from http://pschyologyinfo.com/ Rodley, N. (2009). The treatment of prisoners under international law/ Nigel Rodley with Matt Pollard. (3rd ed.). Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press .