Essay on Paralegal Studies

Submitted By Arsianna-Johnson
Words: 1433
Pages: 6
Open Document
Kaplan University
Arsianna Walker
Comp II Final Project

“Fear, which, in turn, is utilized as a rationalization for discrimination and prejudice” (Akhtar, 2014). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics since 1990 an average of 590,400 inmates have been released annually from federal/state prisons. The amount of people that have been incarcerated is a multiplying number yearly in this country. America should be more tolerant if not accepting to the idea of convicted felon’s reintegration in to society. It is disheartening that people still live in fear or look down on others whom have had to be incarcerated. If we overcome our discriminations against convicted felons, they can successfully re-enter society, and become productive law abiding citizens. Imagine applying for job after job, with no luck at all even though your credentials qualify you. With no income to provide much less survive, how can anyone make it? The opportunity that someone with a clean criminal history has is incomparable to that of someone with even just one prior conviction. Jobs as well as housing are not as easily attained by a convicted felon. I myself would not know what to do or how to handle the heavy weight of re-entering society. I am not one to make excuses, pacify or enable anyone. This is a real issue that families are suffering the consequences of. Unfortunately the view on imprisonment has been distorted by society ideas to label it as a way to lock up a “bad person and throw away the key”. It’s easy to assume inexperienced citizens have no way of knowing about all the educational, career, emotional and behavioral programs that are offered in prisons and jails. Upon interviewing an ex con about his experiences with re-entry, I discovered that even with proper education it is near impossible for many ex cons to have a career. Mr. Christian Jacobs a former inmate, now graduate of the renowned school of culinary arts, Cordon Blue, has yet to even begin a job with his degree. The point of my interview is to inform readers of alternative views when it comes to those of our society that have been incarcerated. Job opportunities being so scarce to convicted felons programs that will guide them in entrepreneurship. This is just another example of the reform of prison, it also gives backs my claims of discrimination. The reasons for these programs are to help ex cons with re entry, giving them back equal opportunities. An article I read stated “…entrepreneurship education might be particularly valuable for prisoners because self-employment as an occupational career path can help overcome potential employers' discriminatory attitudes toward ex-prisoners …” also that an entrepreneurial mindset will give “... individuals whose career paths have been terminated can begin to form an attitudinal foundation from which to rebuild a future.” (PATZELT, 2014) When asked what adversities he faced when looking for housing, Mr. Jacobs answer touched me. He answered “I first tried rental rooms trying to avoid apartment complex's knowing all of their requirements with felon history. I was ok with having to follow someone house rules I learned a lot of discipline during my ten years away. The only problem was no one and I mean no one wanted a violent criminal in their house.” (Jacobs, 2015) Mr. Jacobs went on to explain that his own family had told him he was not welcomed in their home because of what the neighbors would think. Mr. Jacobs was raised in a gated community in Coto De Caza, Orange County, and Southern California. His family cut him off once he got in trouble, so that their rich friends would not know. Not only has Mr. Jacobs been discriminated against in the work field but even rejected for housing.

Convicted felons are a stigmatized group of society. There are many preconceived ideas society has made up about any person with a checkered past. Major misconceptions that I would like to address are convicted felons
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Case Study

are preparing to begin a Paralegal Frim here in Laurel, Ms. We feel that there is a high demand for contractual paralegal work here. She has just recently graduated Paralegal School. She has interviewed with several law firms in the state, and they all tell her they do not have the funding to hire a full-time Paralegal. We have both done a lot of research on this matter and feel like we would receive a lot of business from these firms. Instead of having an in-house Paralegal these firms may come across…

Words 480 - Pages 2

Paralegal Comm Skills Final Essay

Paralegal Communication Skills Erica Benitez Kaplan University Professor Gloria Reeves CM107 Paralegal Communication Skills It is important for paralegal students who wish to have a successful career, to possess excellent oral, written, and tactful communication skills. What is communication? Communication is a complex process of using words, sounds, volume, tone and body language to express or exchange information. It is how thoughts and feelings are transferred into words. Communication involves…

Words 827 - Pages 4

Career Path For Criminal Justice

different paths within the criminal justice field, I’ve found the path that fits my skill set, I would excel in, and give me the most room for growth: Paralegal. To be the best in the career path, I have to be educated in a successful ABA approved program. That program is the Roosevelt University Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Since 2013, my professional career has thrived. In three short years, I was able to graduate from University of Illinois- at Chicago with a Bachelor’s…

Words 407 - Pages 2

Legal Ethics2 Essay

with integrity (Henton, Lesley, ehow contributor, December 02, 2010). But why are they used today in court in law firms and by lawyers and paralegals? Well to answer that you have know the rules that the law firms and its constituents are to follow. There are certain ethics that pertain to law firms and certain ethics that pertain to attorneys and paralegals. Rule 5.1 deals with the responsibility of a partner or supervisory lawyer. Meaning a partner in a law firm, and a lawyer who individually…

Words 779 - Pages 4

Illegal Immigration Narrative

painstakingly picked out the night before, I was so eager to begin my first day as a paralegal that I arrived well over an hour early. Utterly convinced that my glamorous visions of intense courtroom battles, dramatic closing statements, and life-changing court rulings existed on the other side of the office’s rotating doors, my anticipation and excitement that day was tangible. Over the course of the next few weeks as a paralegal, however, my vision of a career in law shifted and evolved into something far…

Words 578 - Pages 3

Assignment 2 Essay

Shalene N. Martinez Steven Hardgrave Eight Skills of the Effective Legal Studies LS100-01 So many things have happened in my life from the first day I went to college. I had plans to get a bachelor’s of science degree in biology and head on to medical school. Things changed when I decided to settle down, get married and have a family. Which of course I have no regrets. I was able to finish up three years of college but never completed my bachelors of science. Since then my interests…

Words 631 - Pages 3

Sam Houston State University Case Study

school offers. It is a nationally ranked institution and SHSU is known for students to have a job within a year of graduation. With a degree from an institution like Sam, I plan to pursue a career as a paralegal, mediator, or criminal investigator. My mother is a paralegal. I get most of my ambition to study criminal justice from her. I believe that obtaining a degree from this university will help give me a foot in the door when I am starting my career. My goals when it comes to my education is to get…

Words 258 - Pages 2

Careers For Kaplan As A Regionally Accredited University

etc.):

Medics - 5 classes - Health Science Associates.
AG/HR - 9 Classes - Business Associates
Finance - 11 Classes - Business Associates
Supply - 10 Classes - Business Associates Warehouseman - 10 Classes - Business Associates Paralegal - 7 Classes - Paralegal Studies 
Infantry - 8 Classes - Criminal Justice Associates
Infantry - 10 Classes - Business Associates
Armor - 8 Classes - Criminal Justice Associates
Armor - 10 Classes - Business Associates

 Kaplan is also working on several other…

Words 329 - Pages 2

Sc300 Unit 1 Assignment

concentrations: 6-9 credits in 3 academic disciplines, with 27 credits required across those disciplines with a major in paralegal in which I have both an AAS and a certificate in. I feel that these fields are important to an attorney. On-line makes it possible the degree while working a job to help support myself. Since, obtaining an AAS and a certificate in Paralegal studies first it would only be wise to include this in my BIS. To meet with the demand of upper division classes in a legal format…

Words 1370 - Pages 6

social classes Essay

Educational Goal Statement After the 4 years spent in high school, now I have reached a point where I would have to go to college to keep advancing in life because without a higher education my goal of becoming a paralegal would not be accomplished. Without a higher education there would be many dreams that wouldn’t be achievable or attainable. Some of the achievements that I have had during my time in high school were being able to get honor roll, having advanced placement class, which would…

Words 382 - Pages 2