Research Paper Instructions

Congratulations! You have just been hired by Governor Kemp to serve on a special correctional board of experts who are to provide a recommendation to the state of Georgia for the prevention, treatment, and punishment of violent serial offenders. Your role on the committee is to write up a proposal for Governor Kemp summarizing the various strategies that the state should use to address violent serial offenders/offending. There are some important things you need to know about Governor Kemp before you write your recommendation:

• First, he is not interested in your opinion but an educated perspective that is based on what is known about the prevention, treatment, and punishment of offenders. This means, that you will need to back-up your recommendations with scientific research findings and in-text citations from academic sources.

• Second, Governor Kemp will want a recommendation document that balances both the need to hold offenders accountable and keep the public safe, while also considering budgetary restraints and the possibility for rehabilitation, change, and desistance.

• Third, Governor Kemp is looking for a proposal that addresses violence across the life-course (i.e., from childhood through adulthood) and includes multiple different treatment/punishment options (i.e., not a “one-size fits all” policy).

After reading your paper, Governor Kemp should have a detailed understanding of the serial violent offender and the various ways that the state can control and prevent this type of offending among youth and adults.

You must incorporate at least 4 of the required course readings and 4 outside sources. The outside sources must be peer-reviewed research articles that are specifically related to the paper topic. The outside sources need to be independent of the course content and not a source cited in the lecture slides.

All assignments must include APA in-text citations. Assignments that fail to include in-text citations will receive a failing grade. A complete reference page in APA format is also required that includes a full reference for each of the outside sources.

Formatting:

• The final paper (including references) should be no less than 2,000 words and no more than 2,400 words

• The paper should be double-spaced, have 1-inch margins, be 12-point sized font, and Times New Roman font

• Include your name on the top of the first page. No other identifying information should be included (e.g., date, instructor’s name, class title, etc.)

• All content should be paraphrased and NO direct quotes should be used (points will be deducted for the use of direct quotes)