Reference no: EM133244338
Assignment:
We learned a great deal about prisons, jails, and community corrections --- to include both probation and parole; and specifically how the two systems of probation and parole operate, and the standards for the potential revocation of both.
Consider the case of Elizabeth Smart, who, in 2002, at the age of fourteen, was kidnapped from her bedroom at knife-point by Brian David Mitchell.
She was held captive by Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, and later, in San Diego County, California. Her captivity lasted approximately nine months before she was discovered in Sandy, Utah, approximately 18 miles from her home.
During her captivity, Mitchell and Barzee kept Smart at a camp in the woods where Mitchell raped her on a daily basis, and was encouraged to do so by Barzee.
Mitchell is serving a life sentence in federal prison, but in September of 2018, Barzee was released from prison via "supervised release".
Do some research into this issue --- beginning with these articles --- and specifically examine how she conducted herself in prison and the terms of her supervised release:
- Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart
- United States federal probation and supervised release
- Utah legislator files bill to close a ‘loophole' he says led to the release of one of Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers
Question:
Elizabeth Smart has stated that she feels Barzee is "still a big threat" to the public. From what you were able to discern from your research, do you agree or disagree with Smart's assessment? In addition, what are your thoughts on the terms/conditions of Barzee's release? Should stricter terms/conditions have been imposed, or do you feel what was imposed is adequate?