Ancient Eqyptian Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ancient Eqyptian - Essay Example The main role of the Pharaoh was to mediate between the gods and his people. The Pharaoh had a responsibility of sustaining the gods through the offerings and rituals, which were meant to ensure that the gods maintain order (Kaplan 12). Ancient religion in Egypt was a state affair, and the state dedicated enormous amounts of resources in order to ensure the rituals were conducted. Additionally, the state provided resources for the constructions of temples. Egyptian religion was characterized by many gods and goddesses. The goddesses were worshipped in different times and locations, and for different purposes. In Egypt, people interacted with the goddesses and gods for different purposes. In most of the cases, people sought to appeal to the gods and goddesses for help through prayers. They were also compelled to act through magic. Though these practices were distinct from the formal rituals, beliefs and institutions, they were closely linked. Popular religious practices and traditions grew prominent during the history of Egypt (Pinch 22). In addition to the beliefs and practices, Egyptians believed in funeral practices and an afterlife. Egyptians made efforts to acquire tombs, offerings and grave goods in order to ensure their souls survived. The offerings were meant to preserve the spirits and bodies of the dead. Egyptian religion, which had its roots in pre-historic Egypt, lasted for over 3,000 years. Over time, certain gods and goddesses became preeminent and popular. Changes in the ancient religion were prompted by the fact that details of the religious views changed, and the importance of the gods and goddesses declined or rose. During these changes, the intricate relationships between the gods and goddesses and humans also shifted. The rituals and beliefs, which are described as Ancient Egyptian Religion, were essential aspects of the Egyptian culture (Wilkinson 31). The religion was

Juveniles in adult prisons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Juveniles in adult prisons - Essay Example Misbehaving juveniles are often not spared the incarceration process for their criminal activities.As a result,they are punished with the corresponding penalties for their criminal actions.There are,however,major issues raised in the incarceration of juveniles, especially if their incarceration is in adult prisons. One of these issues is the fact that juveniles are exposed to different types of abuses in these adult prisons. These abuses may cover physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse. They are also exposed to other criminal elements in these prisons which often make them even worse offenders upon their release. Based on 2005 statistics, there were about 2200 youths in adult prisons in the US. Majority of these youths were serving life sentences without possibility of parole for crimes they committed when they were minors (Campaign for Youth Justice, n.d). Studies also indicate that juveniles in adult prisons are twice more likely to be beaten up by a staff or by another inmate; and they are 50% more likely to be attacked with a weapon (Campaign for Youth Justice, n.d). Considering these circumstances, this paper shall now critically evaluate and discuss the issue of juveniles in adult prisons. This paper shall be conducted in order to establish a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the issue and its appurtenant highlights for improvement. Discussion The juvenile justice system was conceptualized about a hundred years ago in order to safeguard children from the abuses they were previously subjected to in adult prisons (Schiraldi and Zeidenberg, 1997). Trends indicated that in the traditional system, the children were often returned to society as hardened criminals. A juvenile system was therefore devised for juveniles in order to ensure that they would be housed in centers different from adult offenders where they can undergo rehabilitation, retraining, and other appropriate reformation processes. However, in recent years, due to the increase in the num ber of juvenile offenders, as well as the crowding of juvenile detention centers, moves to incarcerate juvenile offenders with adult offenders have been suggested (Schiraldi and Zeidenberg, 1997). Needless to say, that this suggestion has been met with much opposition from child advocates, law enforcement officers, criminologists, and other interest groups. They primarily point out that placing juveniles in adult jails would have negative and detrimental effects on the juveniles, especially as their incarceration seems to exacerbate the criminal behavior of these juveniles after their release. Law enforcement officers are one of the first to point out that locking up a juvenile with murderers, rapists, and robbers promotes the same future criminal behavior among incarcerated juveniles. These officers also point out that for the most part, juvenile offenders need proper adult guidance from appropriate role models. And these â€Å"appropriate† role models would hardly be found in these adult jails (Dilulio, 1996, as cited by Schiraldi and Zeidenberg, 1997). Surveys also document instances of juveniles being subjected to various. In fact, in Ohio, a juvenile placed in an adult jail for a minor infraction was reportedly assaulted by a deputy jailer; and in another case, in Kentucky, 30 minutes in a jail cell prompted a 15 year old to hang himself (Schiraldi and Zeidenberg, 1997). Four other deaths were seen in Kentucky jails among juveniles who were incarcerated with adults for various minor offenses (Schiraldi and Zeidenberg, 1997). In the paper by Sapp and Reddington, (1997) the authors have established that the number of juveniles in adults jails have increased in recent years. Based on some laws passed, some states have already revised their transfer laws first, by decreasing the age of by which these juveniles can be transferred to adult jails and second by expanding the criminal activities which merit adult jail