A prosecutor’s adherence to the ethics of legal proceedings is critically significant since only the relevant facts should be used to decide a case. That implies that a prosecutor must comply with ethical standards of criminal investigations and reporting, where clarity, dispassionate submissions, and fairness promotes balanced justice for the accused and the complainant. However, it is not in all cases that the prosecutors follow their legal responsibilities to avoid implicating an innocent defendant. The gap between responsible prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct results from poor policy action on correctional approaches and a possible misconception that criminals can only reform if they go through prison. This discussion presents new concepts and perspectives on how the criminal justice system can unlock solutions to social problems regarding unfair sentencing. Prosecutorial misconduct is less likely to occur if prosecutors and imprisoned individuals collaboratively share ideas and values on solving social challenges leading to crime.
Daniels thinks persecutors can learn from incarcerated individuals about the circumstances pushing people to delinquency. I agree with Daniels because he has a first-hand experience, having been incarcerated as a teenager in adult prison for six years. Moreover, he revealed that most stories behind committed crimes reveal inner struggles responsible for trapping incarcerated individuals within the criminal justice system (Daniels, 2019). However, the reason why most incarcerated individuals fail to get justice is that prosecutors’ main intentions are to secure a win for a case, ensuring suspects get a jail term (Daniels, 2019). The implication is that the criminal justice system fails to address the incidences compelling people to commit a crime. Prosecutors should learn from individuals serving jail terms about the behavioral and socioeconomic challenges behind crime involvement, where policy action should address the identified social challenges for a holistic behavioral transformation approach.
Another lesson for Daniels thinks prosecutors can learn from incarcerated individuals is that criminals can be ambitious and motivated too. I agree because Daniels’ (2019) speech elaborated on how in-prison college attendance created a collaborative environment where students shared observations on prosecutor activities, accusing most of them of racial bias and discrimination. The most ambitious aspect of the student interactions was that they believed prosecutors could change and take neutral approaches to handle accusations. The speaker exemplified ambition and motivation for change in the criminal justice system, where he submits that mindset transformations and policy changes to focus on education can transform prosecutor conduct in criminal investigations.
Daniels thinks incarcerated individuals can learn that prosecutors are often empathetic and willing to mentor individuals serving jail terms. I agree because, as elaborated by Daniels (2019), prosecutors at the in-prison college offered mentorship on life goals and ambitions beyond incarceration. Some prosecutors encouraged learning through teamwork so empathetically that their intentions clearly showed they had concerns for prisoners’ wellbeing. Daniels’ (2019) speech also served as an eye-opener to incarcerated individuals that some prosecutors become erratic due to a lack of knowledge on handling social problems associated with delinquency behavior. Therefore, transformations to the criminal justice system should be sustainable, where key stakeholders put socially transformative ideas into action through education and communication.
In conclusion, prosecutors and incarcerated individuals can learn from each other through collaborative value and problem-sharing in enhanced communication environments. The wider the knowledge gap between the two parties’ needs and challenges, the more disproportionate the correctional program outcomes. The rationale is that incarcerated individuals need behavioral change alongside solutions to their social problems that encourage delinquency. Conversation, collaboration, education, and unity in pursuit of justice give prosecutors and imprisoned individuals equal voices to find common solutions, compromise prejudices, and promote policy changes for a systemwide transformation.
Reference
Daniels, J. (2019). What prosecutors and incarcerated people can learn from each other [Video]. TED Conferences. Web.