The Development Of Local Conventional Banks In Malaysia Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 17 Words: 5193 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Economics Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? This study investigates the development of local and foreign commercial banks conventional and Islamic banks in Malaysia for more than past ten years. From this we can see the growth of both types of banks. Besides that, from this we can see that even during crisis Islamic banks was stable compared to conventional banks. In addition, we analysed how Financial Blueprint will impact commercial banks in the next ten years. Furthermore, the prospects of Islamic banking in the near future in Islamic banking in Malaysia are towards global integration and international acceptances. Introduction The Malaysian financial system is divided into two main groups which are Financial Institution and Financial Market. The Financial Institution consists of Banking System and Non-bank Financial Intermediaries. However our focus is on Banking System. Under banking system there are Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia), Banking Institutions (commercial banks, finance companies, merchant banks and Islamic banks and a diverse group (discount houses and representative offices of foreign banks). The largest part of financial system is the banking system which accounts 67% of the total assets in financial system. Presently there are 27 commercial banks (excluding Islamic banks) of which 8 are local commercial banks. The main roles of commercial banks are to supply retail banking services for instance granting loans. Besides that, treasury services are also given by commercial banks. In addition, trade financing facilities for example trust receipts and Bankers Acceptances are als o provided by them. Furthermore, cross border payment and custody services such safe deposits and share custody are also provided by commercial banks (Kpmg, 2010). Those with conventional banking system exist side by side with Islamic legislation and banking regulations in Malaysia. The Islamic Banking Act which came to effect on 7 April 1983 supply Bank Negara Malaysia to administer and regulate Islamic banks. Islamic banks activities are based on Shariah principles (the Islamic principles). All Islamic banking entities are offering banking product based on Islamic principles. The main element, or principles, that establish Islamic banks from any other type of bank is the turning down of Interest-based financial transactions. Islamic banking is based on the conventional debt-based. Islam prohibits the earning of money through unfair trading practices and other activities that are social harmful. This is why predetermined or riba is forbidden (Angelo M Venardos, 2012). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Development Of Local Conventional Banks In Malaysia Finance Essay" essay for you Create order The Development of Local Conventional Banks in Malaysia List of Local and Foreign Commercial Bank 2012 1 Affin Bank Berhad 2 Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad 3 AmBank (M) Berhad 4 BP Paribas Malaysia Berhad 5 Bangkok Bank Berhad 6 Bank of America Malaysia Berhad 7 Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad 8 Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Malaysia) Berhad 9 CIMB Bank Berhad 10 Citibank Berhad 11 Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad 12 HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad 13 Hong Leong Bank Berhad 14 India International Bank (Malaysia) Berhad 15 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad 16 J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Berhad 17 Malayan Banking Berhad 18 Mizuho Corporate Bank (Malaysia) Berhad 19 National Bank of Abu Dhabi Malaysia Berhad 20 OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad 21 Public Bank Berhad 22 RHB Bank Berhad 23 Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad 24 Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Malaysia Berhad 25 The Bank of Nova Scotia Berhad 26 The Royal Bank of Scotland Berhad 27 United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd. (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2012) Table 1 In helping government hard work in giving business support for entrepreneurs, local commercial banks play a key function. Commercial banks give loans that are distributed by the Bank Negara Malaysia to be given to eligible candidates (Mygoverment, 2012). The development of conventional banks are as per below. There are no development during the Asian financial crisis in the year 1997 and Euro debt crisis in the year 2008. Year Development 1971 The assets and liabilities as a ratio of the national GDP has been increasing to reach the peak of RM44.3 billion before the Asian financial crisis (Fadzlan Sufian, 2009) 1998 The Malaysian government established three institutions to resolve that banking sectors growing Non-Performing Loans (NPLs). Besides that, Bank Negara Malaysias banking sector restructuring efforts is substantially (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011). 1999 Throughout the post-crisis period, the commercial banks assets and liabilities continued to remain stable at 0.17 to 0.22 times the national GDP. The government initiated a robust bank merger programme to restructure all domestic banking institutions into six banking groups (Sang-Woo Nam, 2006; Chee Soon Lu, 2006). 2001 The Financial sector Master Plan (FSMP) and Capital Markets Master Plan (CMMP). To consolidate the banking industry resulted in reduction of the number in domestic commercial banks 20 in 1999 to 10 in 2001 when the bank merger programme was completed (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2001) 2002 The Malaysian government started the implementation of the banking sector reformation in respond to the 1997 financial crisis. (Ezreena Jasmine, Koh Yen Yi, Siow Yun Xi, Swapna A/P Mohanen, and Tan Jia Ding, 2011) 2003 Danamodal, the capital injection vehicle for Bank Negara, wound down its operations on the last day of December (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011). 2006 Its been the fifth year into the financial sector master plan. Thus, Malaysia banking sector has emerged from the crisis management mode and moved closer towards the development of a strong and diversified financial system. The technological progress increased at the rate 27.3% (Hazlina Abd-Kadir, Zarehan Selamat, and Muzlifah Idros, 2010) 2007 Development in the productivity increased at the 24.1% because of technological advances (Mahadzir Ismail, Hasni Abdul Rahim, 2009) 2008 Bank Negara Malaysia build up its engage ments with a range of stakeholders, including financial institution trade associations and businesses to make sure the undisrupted flow of funds to the real sector. The financial crisis does not have much effect on the commercial banks in Malaysia (Prof. Dr. Volker Nienhaus, 2010) 2011 Bank Negara Malaysia released the new financial sector blueprint Strengthening Our Future. Table 2 The Development of Local Islamic Banks in Malaysia No. Name of Islamic Banks Ownership 1 Affin Islamic Bank Berhad Local 2 Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad Local 3 AmIslamic Bank Berhad Local 4 Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad Local 5 Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad Local 6 CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad Local 7 Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad Local 8 Maybank Islamic Berhad Local 9 Public Islamic Bank Berhad Local 10 RHB Islamic Bank Berhad Local 11 Al Rajhi Banking Investment Corporation (Malaysia) Berhad Foreign 12 Asian Finance Bank Berhad Foreign 13 HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad Foreign 14 Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Berhad Foreign 15 OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad Foreign 16 Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Foreign (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2012) Table 3 In Malaysia, the Islamic banking system considered as more forward-moving and strong compared to other parallel banking system in other Muslim countries. Malaysia is now acknowledged as th e vanguard in Islamic banking. Islamic banking has been established from humble beginning in 1983 to a vigorous and strong system that is capable of to fulfil the banking requirements of all races in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). The Islamic banking sector in Malaysia has been rising at a vigorous pace. According to Financial Sector Master plan of 2001, asset industry has been rising at the rate of 19% for the past five years. There are about RM 122 billion worth of assets in the Islamic banking sector. Overall in the banking systems this account is about 12% (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2011). Today, Malaysia is one of the distinctive countries which run as dual banking system where, Islamic banking system functions in equivalent with the conventional system. According to Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia , (2011); Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, (2012); Kuala Lumpur Business School, (2012) there are 3 phases of Islamic banking development in Malaysia. The first phase which the init ial period from the year 1969-1992. The second phase is the liberalisation period from the year 1993-2000 and the third phase is the strengthening of the system from the year 2001. Year Landmark Development 1969 Lembaga Tabung Haji was founded which systematize and handle the savings of Muslims in order for them to perform their haj (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011). 1981 National Steering Committee established Islamic Banking (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 1982 In order to have an Islamic bank, National Steering Committee handed in the required documents and proposed to the government (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012). 1983 Government approved the Islamic banking Act 1983 and endorsed the Government Investment Act 1983. In addition, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad was established as the first Islamic bank (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012; Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011). 1984 Established first licensed Takaful operator (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011). 1990 Labuan International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC) was established and which also offers Islamic financial services (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 201 1; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012). 1993 Islamic Banking Scheme (IBS) was introduced by Bank Negara Malaysia which was known as Skim Perbankan Tanpa Feadah before this period (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012; Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 1994 Established Interbank Islamic Money Market. This set up the Islamic Interbank cheque clearing system based on the Mudharabah principles (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012). 1996 Permitted full-fledge Islamic branches were set upped in conventional banks and New Financial Disclosure was launched (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 1997 Bank Negara Malaysia established National Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012; Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 1999 Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad was established as the second Islamic bank by the combination of the Islamic banking assets of Bank Bumiputra, Bank Of Commerce and BBMB Kewangan (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 2001 Financial Sector Masterplan was launched which consist of 10 years plan for progressing in Islamic Banking and Takaful (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012; Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 2002 The worlds first global sovereign sukuk (Malaysian Government Sukuk) was issued by the Malaysian Government. In addition, the worlds first global corporate Islamic bond was issued by Kumpulan Guthrie (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011). 2003 The responsibilities and functions of Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) were revised by Bank Negara Malaysia. Furthermore, procedures on the Specimen Reports and Financial Statement for licensed Islamic Banks were issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012; (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011 2004 New banking licences were issued to 3 foreign Islamic Institutions which are Kuwait Finance House, Asian Fianace B ank and Al Rajhi Bank. Moreover, based on Shariah standard a procedure on the issuance of credit card, credit card-i was issued. Besides that, Islamic banks Market Risk Capital Adequacy Framework was issued. Furthermore, to wisely and restructure the functions and roles of Shariah bodies of the financial institutions, Bank Negara Malaysia issued the procedure on the Governance of Shariah Committee for the Islamic Financial Institutions (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 2005 The change of the Islamic window institutional formation to the Islamic subsidiary formation was passed by Bank Negara Malaysia. Besides that, 49% of equity is permitted for foreign contribution in Islamic subsidiaries. Furthermore, tax neutrality policy for Islamic banking and finance was announced by government. In addition, Shariah governance framework was established by Bank Negara Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 2006 The Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre project was launched by government. Furthermore, in order to be eligible foreign and Malaysian financial institutions to perform business in international currencies, new group of licences were issued to International Islamic Banks (IIB) under Banking act 1983. In addition, an International Currency Business Units (ICBU) got approval for setting up within the Islamic financial institution. Besides that, it was contracted approval to establish operational offices anywhere in Malaysia for Labuan offshore Islamic banks and the Islamic divisions of the offshore banks (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012; Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012). 2007 Capital Markets and services Act 2007 was established (Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012). 2009 Distinguishing the duality of the banking system by law according to Act 701 in Bank Negara Malaysia Act 2009 (Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012). 2011 Islamic banking assets rose 15 percent t o 389.3 billion ringgit, strengthens the country position as the global nub for Shariah-compliant financing 2009 (Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012). 2012 Currently we have 10 local Islamic banks (Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia, 2011; Khiyar Abdalla Khiyar, 2012; Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012; Bank Negara Malaysia 2012) Table 4 (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012) According to Bank Negara Malaysia, Islamic banking has been developing steadily in terms of assets, deposits and financing from the year 2001 to 2006 (Kuala Lumpur Business School, 2012) Even during the Initial crisis, Islamic banking only had a minor impact on their profitability but the asset and credit growth remain the same compared to commercial banking (International Monetary Fund, 2010) (International Monetary Fund, 2010) The Development of Foreign Commercial Bank in Malaysia for the Past 10 Years After the independence of Malaysia in year 1957, foreign commercial bank was had 90% shares of the banking market in Malaysia. But in 1997 the shares was reduce to 16.7% due to the new regulation conduct by the government that the foreign commercial bank cant open the new branches since 1991(Kim et al, 2012).Other than that, financial crisis in 1997-1998 was hit almost all the countries in the world, included Malaysia. When the financial crisis happened Malaysian banking sector also was slap. Non-performing loan was increased from 6% to 22%. Ali and Yosuf stated that liberalization under the general agreement of WTO was indirectly invited the foreign banks to invest in Malaysia (2004). In 2012 there are 17 foreign commercial banks and there are only 10 local commercial banks in Malaysia. From the number of banks, foreign bank is more than the local bank. However, base from studied done by Tze san et al, from the efficiency prospective, local commercial bank was more efficient th an the foreign commercial bank (2012). Foreign bank also received less support from government, even though some of them are weak in the financial performance (Detragiance and Gupta , 2003). The financial crisis in 2008 was not left a big affect for the banking industries in Malaysia, it because of the effort of Bank Negara Malaysia to build up up the banking sector trough the huge consolidation exercise sector of financial crisis 1997. Figure 1: mean efficiency of commercial bank in Malaysia period 2002-2009 Figure2: profit efficiency of foreign commercial banks period 2000-2006 Figure 2 shows that the profits efficiency of the foreign bank in Malaysia was increasingly over the year, even thought in 2006 it was slightly decreasing due to the economic downturn. The performing of the foreign banks in Malaysia is relatively good. And they become more efficient in order to generate profits over the year. This is because of the foreign-owned bank having good corporate governanc e. It may be because of some of the foreign commercial banks in Malaysia was opened their branch in here since before Malaysia become independent. HSBC was opened their first branch in Malaysia in 1884 (HSBC, 2012). They have more experience in Malaysian economic system because they have been here for more than 100 years. Year Development 1957 Foreign had almost 90% of the share in the commercial bank in Malaysia 1997 The shares was reduced to 16,7% due to the new regulation of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) 1997-1998 Financial crisis happen and affected the commercial bank performance in Malaysia 2006 Economic downturn 2008 Financial crisis, but cause big problem because of the effort of the bank Negara Malaysia so strengthen up the banking sector 2012 There are 17 commercial banks in Malaysia Table 5 The Development of Foreign Islamic bank in Malaysia for the Past 10 Years Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for The arbitration (KLRA) was introduced the rule which invited the Muslim arbitrator to offer their product in Malaysia. Interest free banking system or known as Islamic Banking System (IBS) was introduced in 1993 by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). (Abdulah, 2010). Foreign bank that already exist such as HSBC, OCBC, and Standard Chartered was also participated in IBS. In 1990 Islamic Banking System in Malaysia became more prosper to welcoming foreign banks. September 2003 Suffian stated that the central bank of Malaysia was announced the 3 new foreign Islamic institutions from Middle East (2010). Kuwait finance house is the first fledge foreign Islamic institution that was opened their new branches in august 2005. The other 2 is Qatar Islamic bank and Al-Rajhi bank that opened in the year 2006 and early 2007. Currently, Malaysia Islamic banking assets reach USD$ 72,5 billion with 20% annual growth rate per year. This rapid liberalization was promoted o ther foreign institution to make Malaysia as their new intention. (Global Islamic Finance, 2012). Till 2012, there is 6 foreign Islamic bank in Malaysia. The Financial Blueprint and Commercial Banking The Financial Blueprint (2011 2020) is a sketch of the financial journey of Malaysia for the next ten years. On December 21, 2011, Bank Negara Malaysia The Central Bank of Malaysia released the financial blueprint themed Strengthening Our Future. The financial sector plays a major role in the Malaysian economy by being the medium for economic growth as Malaysia is in the verge of becoming a high income country. At this edge, financial sectors in Malaysia are aspired to be more positively spirited to present financial services at its best. As forecasted by the central bank, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of financial sector is expected to increase six times in 2020 than the current GDP, 4.3. On the other hand, financial services sectors GDP is expected to develop from 8.6% to a range of 10% to 12%. There nine focal points in the Financial Blueprint but only five crucial points will be discussed. Effective intermediation for a high value-added and high-income economy This improves the potential of financial sector to support high value-added activities as well as the financial requirements of enterprises. This is a draft of dissimilar savings and fruitful investments in Malaysia to convene the desires of both business and households. Furthermore, it enhances the role of commercial banking by increasing the profit and risk sharing investments and financing facilities. Financing facilities comprises the proviso of large and long term project financing for infrastructure development. At the same as Malaysia widens its trade and investment portfolio, the financial sector is contemplated to have a larger role in sustaining the internationalization of Malaysian businesses. Headed to provide Malaysias upward well off segment and maturing population, importance will be placed on enhancing the provision of financial services for wealth management, retirement and long-term healthcare. The growth of a vibrant private pension industry is also expe cted to enhance the role of pension funds as a key source of funding for the longer-term and risk-based financing needs of the economy. 7.2 Financial inclusion for greater shared prosperity The motive of this inclusion is to allow all Malaysians including the underserved to use the vital banking or financial services at its highest quality and affordability. More delivery mode will be developed such as agent banking to boost the outcome of financial services in an economical way. A range of products such as flexible micro financing are to be introduced to alleviate poverty. Micro financing products consist of:- microsavings microloans microinsurance 7.2.1 Microsavings Microsaving is a product whereby it allows an individual to save a small amount of money without the minimum requirement for future use. In contrary, in developed nations, microsavings are used as additional funds for retirees. 7.2.2 Microloans Microloans are also known as microcredit. A microloans has a very low value targeting home based business such as sewing, cookery, agriculture and so forth in a developing country. However, interest charged in a microloan is very high compared to normal loan interest rate. For example a normal loan interest to start a business would be 10% but in microloan, it would be 30%. Even if this sounds very high, it is still low compared to other options such as illegal money lenders. 7.2.3 Microinsurance For people living in a developing country like Malaysia, there are more risks in their lives. But fortunately Malaysia is away from natural disasters however, natural disasters in neighboring countries affect Malaysia. For example, the 2006 Tsunami in Indonesia affected Penang, a state in Malaysia. In other cases, when Malaysias northern region state such as Kedah, the rice bowl of Malaysia is always affected by flood. Here, the micro insurance comes into picture by providing risk management for the farmers. Microinsurance policy has a very low premium and policy amounts. An example of microinsurance would be a crop insurance for a paddy field. 7.3 Strengthening regional and international financial integration The cross border linkages between countries will have important impacts affecting the trade and investment opportunities by expanding the market demand to compete in the current and future market, provide the interacting firms opportunity to share the cost of producing knowledge, especially in dynamically competitive environments, for example Specialization is one of the main enhancement which can be served from strong linkages, as all producing activity cannot be incorporated into one firm. Such cross-border linkages will also improve cross border fund for Malaysia. Malaysia to be more regionally internationally integrated ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Creation of an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Closer regional trade integration, through ASEAN other bilateral or regional free trade agreements ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Malaysian corporations venturing abroad to expand business opportunities ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡  ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Labour specialised talent increasingly more mobile ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Greater spillovers from dynamism of Asian economies Table 6 Malaysias investment policy is based on- prudent standards The impact of the investment on Malaysias economic activities, predominantly in catalyzing new high value-added activities, stabilizing the level of competition and influence to strengthen the international trade and investment cross- border. In order to continue to mobilize a significant share of resident deposits, a deeper consideration in analyzing the best interest of Malaysia is continued presence of strong and well maintained management of the local banking groups. In addition, this is fairly important to the growth and development of the particular financial sector. 7.4 Internationalization of Islamic finance Malaysias mission is to develop in becoming an international Islamic financial center; contribution will continue to be undertaken for enhancing the Islamic financial environment. This will be a strain in developing a more conducive environment for the investor from all around the world get more involvement and participation in Islamic financial market. In the need of better structure of legal and Shariah frameworks and further improving and advancing Malaysias thought leadership in Islamic finance, the country have to establish a single legislated department to be the top authority on the subjected matters which will include Shariah issues in Islamic finance. Islamic finance is now a global market, they have  a wide range of investment, for example sukuk, mutual funds, commodity funds, equity traded funds, real estate investment trusts,  shariah  compliant derivatives and hedge funds which  contributed across region to region. Recent develop ments also included the possibility of an Islamic bank in France, the publishing of a book on Islamic finance in Italian and shariah compliant real estate funds in Australia. There is also news of expected sukuk issuances from the United Kingdom, Australia and Korea. There have also been a diverse range of issuers of shariah compliant products including the World Bank, the Islamic Financial Centre, the German state of Anhalt-Saxony, Aston-Martin and Shell, which pioneered the sukuk. 7.5 Regulatory and supervisory regime to safeguard the stability of financial system. Financial security is a core of the countrys economic security. Financial stability is an important foundation to ensure the financial security of a country. Steady run, good efficiency and financial stability, reasonable structure state can lay a strong foundation for financial security; overregulation, inefficiency and structural imbalances in stable condition in the state will harm the intermediary function of the financial system, increasing its vulnerability brewing significant financial risks. To promote an easy going way to regulation and supervision within the financial sector is by enhancing the legislative framework or structure; it may also require a higher risk based approach. This will end up strengthening the Banks capacity to manage risks associated issues which maybe include non-bank credit matters; in addition this will also give the opportunity to enhance the strength of the Bank to take proper intervention actions against the issues. Strengthening the cross bo rder linkages will be pursued with other supervisory authorities as it is actually globally connected (example- US financial can also affect all countries currency) The Prospects of Islamic Banking In Near Future Islamic banking industry has a very bright future and expected to grow further by 2014 as the industry already has some of the key values and essence required in order to move forward. Globally, Islamic banking has increasingly become an alternative to conventional banks especially in Islamic countries where the rapid growth of the Islamic banking seems to be as fast as conventional banking (Paulius Kuncinas, 2012). The expansion of Islamic banking is largely driven by several major factors. The most significant would be the increasing regulatory support and the strong alliance among the players within the industry together with the relevant institutions. Those countries that have greater regulatory support for Islamic banking will grow faster. The regulatory supports that could help the growth of Islamic banking could be in the form of separate licensing and regulatory requirements, avoidance of double taxation as well as permission for the Islamic banks to get involved in trad ing and direct investment. Nowadays, governments in various markets have taken proactive action to promote the development of a healthy Islamic banking ecosystem (Naim, 2012). For instance, in the UAE, all new local banking licenses granted in the last 15 years have been for Islamic banks. Apart from that, Islamic banking is growing due the demand from society. As product offering by Islamic banking became more attractive, most Muslim customers have started to switch from conventional banking to Islamic banking at a rapid pace. This is due to responsiveness of Islamic banking towards meeting the customers expectation who seeks for not less than what they could actually received from conventional banking (Naim, 2012) Despite the rapid growth in Islamic banking, there are key areas in the banking industry that needs to be improved to progressively support future development. Therefore, it is important to highlight the challenges facing the Islamic banking industry. One of the major challenges of the industry is to create awareness among the consumers of the banking about the values and limitations in Islamic banking. Awareness is very important, as the growth of Islamic banking will have a direct impact regarding this issue. If people have better knowledge and understanding about the Islamic banking initiatives, the overall growth pattern will definitely improved. According to Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia director of operations, Selamat Sirat, he stated that people are still not well-educated and not well-informed about Islamic banking even though they are various promotions and write-ups already been done. This statement is supported by the complaints received from people who are still complaining that Islamic banking is more expensive than conventional. He added that this is due to lack of awareness. If people look at the structure and truly understand the product, they will realize that the pricing of Islamic banking is even better and sufficiently c ost-effective than conventional and not at all equivalent. This shows how lack of awareness is a very crucial issue that needs to be resolved (Clint Loh, 2012). The second major issue is the structure of certain Islamic products. Islamic banking player need to come up with a real new structure in order to ensure that people will not associate Islamic banking products with the conventional products. This could be a challenge as conventional banking has been in existence for more than 100 years compared with 20 for Islamic banking. However, this effort must be in place and they have to play a perpetual catch-up game with the conventional financial system for Islamic banking to remain competitive and attractive (Clint Loh, 2012). Furthermore, in this rapidly changing environment, customers expect more and their needs keep on changing and becoming more complex. It is essential to satisfy customers needs and to meet their expectations. Thus, innovative solutions are required as produc t innovation is the important factor in the process of broadening the development of the Islamic banking industry. Another issue facing the development of the Islamic banking industry is the ineffective accounting standards resulted from the absence of recognized guidelines on prudential, supervisory, accounting, auditing and other corporate regulatory practices. Difficulties may arise when comparing financial statements issued by Islamic financial institutions and those of conventional financial institutions. In addition, it is a factor that could affect the growth of Islamic banking. Therefore, there is a need for The Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) in addressing these problems (Venardos, 2012). Besides, the varying and lack of convergence of Shariah interpretations across jurisdictions due to the different school of thoughts among Shariah scholars will add on to the challenges faced by Islamic banking industry. Thus, differen t Muslim countries have adopted different practices in relation to various Islamic banking product and services. This may have implications with regards to investment and trading of International Islamic instruments. More standardized Islamic banking products and services may be achieved if there is harmonization in the Shariah interpretations, which could lead to the enhancement of the overall growth of the Islamic banking industry. This point is supported from the statement made by Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz , Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia, who believes that the absence of a truly global Islamic financial system based on Shariaah principles, means that the continued growth and development of Islamic banking and finance is somewhat haphazard (Venardos, 2012). Recommendations : To ensure the growth and sustainability of Islamic banking industry in the coming future, various efforts can be made such as the followings: Reviewing the existing framework and structures governing the issuance of global Shariah compliant products. Governments should act more aggressively in promoting the development of Islamic financial systems such as providing the necessary infrastructure that will favour the growth of Islamic banking in their respective countries with the complete, Shariah compliant, legal and regulatory framework. Ensuring the transparency in the Islamic financial system. To create an effective international Islamic banking industry that will be able to serve the needs of both local and international customers, a strategy of openness in the Islamic financial system is required. Increasing the number of professionals in the Islamic banking industry. Currently, there is only a small number of professionals available in this industry as well as the pro fessional bodies especially in the Non-Muslim countries. Thus, with the involvement of more experts, customers will become more attracted as they have better confidence to rely on convincing advice given by the experts. Offering Islamic financial products to big companies. This is because if Islamic banks are able to target those big companies in using their Islamic financial products, the rest of the customers can be easily influenced by their actions. Encouraging the involvement of the established rating agencies. This action may help in creating more awareness towards the customers and building up their trusts in Islamic financial systems. For example, the well-known rating agency such as Standard Poors should put more effort in doing their research and providing data regarding Islamic banking that are more useful to the people who are interested. Conclusion The development of Malaysian banking system in the past years was positive. Although there was a financial crisis in 1997-1998, Malaysian banking system was able to deal with it. The financial masterplan1 that was launched in 2001 was successful to build up Malaysian banking system to become stronger. They still continue to build up the financial system with the financial masterplan2 that was launched in 2011. Local and foreign bank are still growing steadily over the years. On the other hand, the financial blueprint is a vision and direction for Malaysia financial sector for the next ten years. We focused and discussed about the 5 key points which is included in the Financial Blueprint (2011 2020) that supports the development of the commercial banking. It also helps to develop the various areas of our financial market and directly improve the development of the commercial banking, which bank itself is the main participant in the financial market. Commercial bank is a financial i ntermediary which channels the fund from savers to borrowers, and it needs financial market to enhance and provide more variety to the bank. Enhanced development of financial market can provide more long term and short term loan to the commercial bank as well as commercial bank can invest in financial market if the bank has excess of funds.

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To Kill a Mocking Bird Summary Free Essays

string(67) " high tail it back home so they’re not missed by the adults\."   Scout Finch is growing up in a hot, tired Alabama town, where there is nothing to buy and nothing to buy it with. She and her older brother, Jem, live with their father, Atticus, the local lawyer, and their cook, Calpurnia, close to downtown Maycomb. They’re all related by blood or marriage to everyone in town, so it’s a close-knit group to say the least. We will write a custom essay sample on To Kill a Mocking Bird Summary or any similar topic only for you Order Now As our story begins, summer has just started. Scout is six, and Jem is ten, and they have just discovered a boy hiding in their next door neighbors turnip greens. He’s a scrawny kid who’s name is Dill, and the three become instant friends as soon as it’s revealed that Dill has already seen â€Å"Dracula†, which gives him instant credibility. As summer progresses and favorite games become old hat, Scout, Jem, and Dill become obsessed with making Boo Radley come out. Boo Radley lives up the street from Scout and Jem, and legend has it that he never comes out of his house. Any small crimes or mysterious happenings in town are said to be his work, and rarely will anyone pass the house alone at night. Their first raid consists of a dare between Dill and Jem. He must run to the Radley house, touch it, and run back. He finally does it, but only after 3 days careful thought and much ribbing from Dill. Chapter 2 When September rolls around and Dill leaves to go back home to Meridian, Scout realizes that she’s starting her first year of school. After her first day, however, she’s determined not to go back. After trying to explain the complicated backgrounds of some of the county folks to the new teacher, Scout lands herself into trouble again and again, and is not quite sure how. It should be obvious, she thinks, that offering Walter Cunningham a quarter for lunch is simply not done. They don’t take help from anyone, and the reason why he doesn’t have a lunch is because he can’t afford one. When she tries to explain this to the new teacher, however, she gets her hands slapped by a ruler. When lunchtime finally rolls around, she’s grateful to get out of class and go home. Chapter 3 Scout wastes no time paying back Walter Cunningham for getting her started on the wrong foot with the new teacher. It isn’t until Jem comes and stops her hat she quits tormenting him in the playground, and she nearly falls over when Jem invites the poor boy to lunch at their house. The day doesn’t improve when she embarrasses Walter at the table and is forced to eat in the kitchen by Calpurnia. When she returns to school the day’s drama isn’t over. Miss Caroline, the teacher, is horrified to discover a cootie in the hair of Burris Ewell, a hulking, angry boy who quickly reduces Miss Caroline to tears as he slouches out of the room, his first and only day of school over. That evening Scout is weary from the day’s crimes and begs Atticus not to send her back to school anymore. The fact that Miss Caroline forbade her to read and write anymore is really what’s distressing her, and when Atticus strikes a deal with her that if she will concede to go back to school they’ll continue reading together like always, she happily accepts. Chapter 4 As the schoolyear inches along, Scout begins to realize that she’s far more educated than her peers, and even more so, perhaps, than her teacher. As construction paper and crayon Projects evolve day after day, she realizes she is just plain bored. As she walks home from school there is a huge oak tree that sits on the corner of the Radley lot. She passes it every day without incident, only one day she spots two pieces of chewing gum in a knot in the tree. After making sure it won’t kill her she hastily crams it into her mouth, and Jem is furious with her when he finds out, convinced that it’s poisoned by Boo Radley. During their walk home on the last day of school Scout and Jem find another treasure in the tree, this time two old, shined up pennies. When Dill arrives for the summer two days later the group resumes their obsession with Boo Radley. They create a play that reenacts Boo’s life, and continue with it all summer long until they are very nearly caught by Atticus. Chapter 5 When Dill and Jem start excluding Scout from their plots she begins to spend more time with her next door neighbor, Miss Maudie Atkinson. Miss Maudie is garden obsessed, and spends her evenings reining over her front porch in the twilight. Scout gets a lot of valuable information from her about Boo Radley’s past, and the reason, perhaps, why he never comes out. The next day she uncovers a major plot by Dill and Jem to pass a note to Boo Radley. Scout protests but they threaten her and before she knows it she’s part of the scheme. Things proceed fairly smoothly until they’re caught by Atticus, who forbids them to set one more foot on the Radley property and to leave Mr. Radley alone. Chapter 6 The last night of the summer Jem and Dill hatch the biggest plot of them all (reasoning that, if they get killed, they’ll miss school instead of vacation). They decide to try and peep into one of the windows at the Radley house. When Scout (who until tonight knew nothing of the plan) starts to protest, they call her a girl and threaten to send her home. With that, she joins them. Things take a disastrous turn when Boo Radley’s older brother, Mr. Nathan Radley, hears them and, thinking they’re intruders, fires a shotgun. They barely make it through the fence in time and high tail it back home so they’re not missed by the adults. You read "To Kill a Mocking Bird Summary" in category "Papers" When they step into the gathering crowd to discuss the gunshot Scout is horrified to realize that Jem is missing his pants. Dill hatches a good one and tells Atticus that he won them from Jem playing strip poker. The adults seem satisfied with the lie, and don’t suspect them of causing the gunfire at the Radley place. After they slink off, Scout discovers from Jem that he lost his pants as they were scurrying through the wire fence. They got caught and he had to leave them behind or risk getting shot. Late that night Jem decides to go after them rather than risk Mr. Nathan finding them the next morning and turning him in. Scout pleads with him not to go, but he does it anyway. When he gets back, he doesn’t say a word but lies in bed, trembling. Chapter 7 Jem’s silence about that night lasts for a week. They both start school again, and Scout discovers that the second grade is worse than the first, and the only consolation is that now she gets to stay as late as Jem and they can walk home together. It’s during this walk home one afternoon that Jem finally opens up about his sojourn trip back to the Radley place to retrieve his pants. He tells Scout that his pants were not tangled up the wire as he left them but were folded neatly on the fence post, as if someone was expecting him to come back and get them. As they approach the oak tree with the knot hole they discover a ball of twine. After waiting a few days to make sure that the knot hole is not some other child’s hiding place, they take ownership of everything they find in there from here on out. The next treasure they discover in there is the figure of a boy and girl carved out of soap. They’re carved to look like Scout and Jem. The next prize is an old pocket watch that doesn’t run. They decide to write a letter to whomever is leaving them things, but they’re shocked to discover the next day that the hole has been filled with cement. When they question Mr. Nathan Radley (Boo’s brother who does leave the house) he tells them the tree was sick and he had to do it. Upon questioning Atticus, however, he tells them that tree is perfectly healthy. Chapter 8 That fall Maycomb endures the coldest snap since 1885, and Scout thinks the world is ending one morning when she wakes up and finds snow on the ground. Although it’s only a dusting, Jem is determined to build his first snowman and sets out creatively making one out of dirt, and then using the precious white snow to cover it up. That night the temperature drops even further and all the stoves in the house are lit for warmth. Scout is awakened in the middle of the night by Atticus, who tells her Miss Maudie’s house next door is on fire and they have to get out. They spend the night in front of the Radley driveway, watching the commotion. The men of Maycomb help as much as they can getting furniture out of her house while there is still time, but eventually the whole thing is up in flames. They don’t go back inside the house until morning, and Scout is horrified to discover she’s wrapped up in blanket and she has no idea where she got it. She almost falls over when they deduce it was Boo Radley that brought the blanket out to her in the night, and she never even knew. 7They’re heartened to discover the next day that Miss Maudie is not grieving for her lost house, saying she always wanted a smaller one anyway. Chapter 9 As the school year progresses Scout begins to get teased at school over her father, atticus is called a â€Å"Nigger Defender† and one night she asks Atticus why people are talking about him. He tells her that’s he’s taken on a case that affects him personally and because he is defending this man, Tom Robinson, there is a big stink about it in town. Atticus asks Scout that, no matter what she hears, she’s not to get into a fight with someone over this case. True to her word, she doesn’t fight, even when antagonized at school. Until Christmas. Their Uncle Jack Finch comes down from Boston, which is the good part of Christmas. The bad part is that they all have to spend Christmas day at Aunt Alexandra’s house at Finch’s Landing. Even worse, their cousin Francis is there, and Scout hates him. Things go smoothly until after dinner when, alone in the backyard with Scout, Francis starts calling Atticus all sorts of terrible names because he’s defending a black man. Scout sails in with her fists to defend him and gets caught by Uncle Jack. She doesn’t have a moment to tell her side of the story, and moments later they’re on their way back home. She’s finally able to tell her story to Uncle Jack later that night, and he apologizes for jumping all over her when he should’ve been punishing Francis. Chapter 10 The neighborhood excitement starts up again in February when Tim Johnson, a mangy dog owned by a man on the other side of town, is discovered walking up the street with rabies. The sheriff is called and he and Atticus drive up with a gun to shoot it. Scout and Jem watch in amazement as their father, whom they’ve never seen hold a gun in his life, takes aim and shoots the dog square in the head from an amazing distance. They’re further shocked to discover that he is the deadest shot in Maycomb county, an accomplishment he’s never bothered to mention to them since he doesn’t like guns. Chapter 11 The day after Jem’s 12th birthday finds the two walking into town to spend his birthday money. The downside to taking the route into town is that they have to walk past Mrs. Dubose’s house, a cantankerous, bitter old woman who lives at the end of the street. She never has anything good to say to anyone, but Atticus constantly tells the two of them to ignore her foul words and treat her with courtesy and respect. Normally they’re able to do this, but today their patience is pushed thin when she starts insulting Atticus’s decision to defend Tom Robinson. They wait until they’re on their way back home from town and suddenly Jem starts destroying Mrs. Dubose’s flowers with Scout’s baton wand, chopping them viciously off the bush and scattering them across her yard. When Atticus comes home later that evening, he knows he’s in for it worse than he’s ever been. Atticus makes Jem go to her house and talk with her, and when Jem returns he says that she is making him read to her everyday for the next month. When Monday comes around, Scout goes with him to keep him company, and the days drag by. When she dies a month later, Atticus informs them that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict who had decided she was not going to die addicted to the drug. Jem’s afternoons of reading to her broke her from her addiction, and she was able to die in peace. Chapter 12 As summer begins Scout is crushed to discover that Dill will not be joining them. When Atticus has to go out of town for two weeks, Calpurnia decides that she will take them to church with her. Aside from one woman, Jem and Scout are welcomed into the African church with open arms and they’re amazed to see how different it is from their own staid church service. They’re also amazed to find out that the church collection is going to Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife, and the Reverend is not letting anyone leave until they’ve collected $10, which is what she needs each week to support her kids. Purses are scraped and pockets searched, and finally everyone comes up with enough money and the doors are opened. They also find out that Tom is in jail because he’s accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter, Mayella (who is white), which is why the entire town is in an uproar over Atticus taking on the case. When they get back home from church, they find Aunt Alexandra on the front porch swing waiting for them. Chapter 13 As Scout and Jem begin to question Aunt Alexandra, she tells them she’s come to stay awhile (which could be days or years, according to Maycomb’s customs). She settles in and the county welcomes her with open arms, although she certainly adds a formidable presence to Jem and Scout’s daily routine. She begins trying to instruct the two on how to be a proper Finch (since they come from, in her words, a Fine Family) but both Scout and Jem have no interest in becoming a little gentleman and a little lady, and hardly bother trying to learn. Chapter 14 As life continues on with Aunty in the house, one night Scout goes to bed and steps on something soft and warm and round, which she thinks is a snake. After calling Jem in for a thorough investigation under her bed they find Dill under there, dirty and starving and still his same old self. Scout finds out that the reason why Dill ran off was because his parents just aren’t interested in him, and he spends most of his days alone. He spends the night with them, uncertain what the next day will bring. Chapter 15 It is decided a week later that Dill will stay in Maycomb with his Aunt Rachel, who happens to be the Finch’s neighbor. This news makes both Scout and Jem very happy. One night they’re all relaxing in the living room when Mr. Heck Tate, the sheriff, comes knocking at the door with a group of men, warning Atticus that the local group of no-accounts might try to come at Tom Robinson this weekend. He is being held in the Maycomb jail. The next night Atticus mysteriously leaves the house and on a hunch Jem, Scout and Dill go looking for him in town. They finally find him reading a book on the porch at the jailhouse. Once Jem is satisfied that Atticus is ok they turn to go, but suddenly a line of cars pull up and a group of men get out and surround the porch. Things get serious when Scout, Jem, and Dill rush into the crowd to Atticus’s defense, and although he tells them to go home they don’t budge. Scout realizes that these men are strangers, and that they’re here to get Tom Robinson. Scout finally sees that she does know one man in the crowd, Mr. Cunningham, Walter’s father, and as she tries to make conversation with him the entire group falls silent, listening to her talk about Walter and Mr. Cunningham’s entailment, which Atticus is currently helping him out on. Although she doesn’t realize it, she makes them all realize that they are acting barbaric and finally it’s Mr. Cunningham who calls off the mob and makes everyone go home. Chapter 16 The next morning, Saturday, the whole county begins to file into town to watch Tom Robinson’s trial. Jem and Scout run a constant commentary for Dill, explaining the backgrounds and tendencies of everyone that passes. After lunch they head into town themselves to watch the trial. Due to the immense crowd there’s no room downstairs but Reverend Sykes, the black preacher from Calpurnia’s church, gives them seats in the colored section upstairs. When they get up there and sit down, they see the first witness is Mr.Heck Tate. Chapter 17 As Atticus begins to question the sheriff, who was the one that immediately saw Mayella after she was raped, he immediately begins to find holes in his testimony that prove there is no way that Tom Robinson could have beaten and raped the girl, although at this time the jury and crowd don’t really know where he’s going with his questioning. All that is apparent is that Mayelle’s right eye was blackened and that all around her throat was bruised, as if two strong hands had tried to strangle her. The next witness to take the stand is Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell, who is poor, uneducated, and downright mean-spirited. As Atticus begins to question him, it becomes finally apparent to Jem where he’s going. He suddenly sees that there is no doubt that it was Bob Ewell who beat up Mayelle and then pointed the finger at Tom. Scout still doesn’t see it; however, and thinks Jem is counting his chickens before they’re hatched. As she looks at the back of Tom Robinson, who is big and strong, she thinks he easily could have hurt Mayella. Chapter 18 Mayella is the next to take the stand, and as Atticus questions her he begins to poke holes in her testimony as well. Finally he asks Tom Robinson to stand up so Mayella can identify him, and everyone sees that his left arm is fully 12 inches shorter than his right, and is therefore crippled and unusable. Scout finally sees that there is no way he could have choked Mayella and blacked out her right eye. It’s a physical impossibility. Atticus then begins to ask her if it was really her father that beat her up but she refuses to say, and she refuses to say another word after she accuses Tom Robinson one more time. Chapter 19 The next and last witness is Tom Robinson himself. Tom tells the jury that he went into Mayella’s yard lots of times to help her with little chores, and that she was always asking for his help. She once offered to pay him, but Tom declined the invitation. Since that, Tom willingly executed Mayella’s chores free of charge. When he begins talking about the night of the rape he tells everyone that Mayella invited him in to do a chore and then started coming on to him, trying to kiss him, and it was her father that saw what she was trying to do through the window. Tom tried to resist Mayella without hurting her, and as soon as he could get away he took off running. He is soft-spoken and polite. But he makes the mistake of telling Mr. Gilmore that the reason he helped Mayella is because he felt sorry for her. And in those times, a black man feeling sorry for a white woman or even saying it may as well be a crime. During the cross examination by Mr. Gilmore Dill begins crying uncontrollably, so Scout takes him outside for some fresh air. Dill cannot get over how cruel Mr. Gilmore (the prosecutor) is to Tom Robinson, and another man is outside the courthouse and knows exactly why Dill is so upset. Chapter 20 The man is Mr. Dolphus Raymond, a local character who is ostracized because he married a black woman. To tone down the talk about him around the town he pretends to be a drunk, but it is really Coca Cola that is in the paper sack he carries around. He tells Dill that people can be very cruel sometimes and that it makes him sick too. Scout knows she shouldn’t be out talking to this sinful man, but she finds him nice and fascinating. When they get back inside the courthouse they find Atticus in the middle of his closing statement, and Jem is convinced they’re going to win the case since Tom Robinson could not have physically done what Mayella is accusing him of. Chapter 21 When they go home that evening for dinner they can hardly wait to go back to the courthouse because they don’t want to miss the verdict. They wolf down their supper and race back. The jury stays out a long time, till almost midnight, deciding on a verdict, and Scout falls asleep waiting to hear. In total the jurors were out deciding almost nine hours.Finally they come back with a verdict: guilty. Chapter 22 Jem starts to cry, and cannot believe the jury would convict Tom when it was so obvious he hadn’t raped Mayella. He and Scout are both in shock. The next morning the Finches all surprised at the amount of food that was left on the back porch from black people in the community, mostly from Calpurnia’s neighborhood, to tell Atticus â€Å"thank you† for defending Tom Robinson, in spite of the verdict. The children have a conversation with Miss Maudie who tells them that it wasn’t just Atticus trying to help Tom Robinson. They Judge was trying, Mr. Heck Tate was trying, there were lots of people behind the scene trying. They might of lost the case, she says, but only Atticus could have kept a jury out so long deciding. In her mind, it’s a baby step towards equality. Chapter 23 The next drama of the day is that Bob Ewell spits in the face of Atticus and says he’ll get him back for embarrassing him so badly in court. Atticus passes it off as an empty threat, and does his best to assuage the fears of Jem and Scout, who are very worried for him. Atticus has not lost hope for Tom Robinson, either. There’s still the appeal, which he’s confident that they have a good chance of winning. As Jem and Scout discuss the lives and ways of Maycomb county folks after the trial, they begin to realize something disturbing about human nature, and the ways people can come up with to just be mean spirited. Jem begins to understand that the reason Boo Radley never comes out of his house is not because he can’t, but is because he doesn’t want to come out. Chapter 24 As September inches closer Scout is introduced to formal tea time, hosted by Aunt Alexandra, who is on a relentless campaign to teach her to be a lady. As Scout navigates through the social hour she’s lost on how ladies can look so pretty and delicate, and yet trap each other with conversation, revealing an aggressiveness you can’t really see except when they talk to each other. She decides she feels much more at home in her father’s world. When Atticus comes home early from work and interrupts tea Scout knows something’s up. She follows him into the kitchen and learns that Tom Robinson is dead. He made a break for it at the prison and was shot by the guards. Atticus enlists the help of Calpurnia to go and tell Tom’s wife, Helen who is she. Scout, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra pull themselves together and rejoin the ladies at tea. Chapter 25 Jem and Dill were able to witness the sad affair of Atticus having to tell Helen that Tom is dead, as his car passed them as they were walking back from swimming at Barkers Eddy. Atticus was very gentle about it, but Helen fainted away. The town of Maycomb was interested in Toms death for about two days, and then moved on to other things. Jem tells Scout that he heard from the grapevine that Mr. Ewell was threatened them again, saying that there was one down and two to go. Jem believes that he’s all talk and warns Scout not to breathe a word to Atticus, and not to worry. Chapter 26 As school starts Jem begins high school (7th grade) and Scout rarely sees him until dark. She’s in 3rd grade now, and although the Radley place ceases to terrify her she still thinks about Boo, and regrets ever tormenting him the way they used to. One day in class they start talking about Adolf Hitler, and Scout discovers that her teacher, Miss Gates, hates Hitler and feels strongly that his persecution of Jews is wrong. Scout is confused about this, however, because during the summer at the trial she heard Miss Gates distinctly saying ugly things about Tom Robinson, and how this should teach them all a lesson. When she asks Jem about it, why Miss Gates can hate Hitler and yet feel Tom Robinson’s verdict is justified because he’s black, Jem gets very upset and yells at her not to ever talk about that trial to him again. When she goes to Atticus for comfort he tells her that Jem is just trying to come to terms with something in his head, and when he does he’ll start being himself again. Chapter 27 As October crawls forward a few things happen in town. The Judge finds a nighttime crawler in his yard but doesn’t see who it is. Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife, starts working for Mr. Link Deas, Tom’s old employer, who offers her a job because he feels so badly about what happened to Tom. She has to go a mile out of her way to avoid the Ewell place, because each time she passes they antagonize her. When Mr. Deas finds out about it he goes over to the Ewell place and threatens Mr. Ewell to leave Helen alone. The next day Mr. Ewell follows Helen all the way to work and Mr. Deas has to chew him out again. To Aunt Alexandra, it bodes trouble. As Halloween approaches Scout learns that she will be required to participate in the school pageant, an agricultural themed production where she’ll be playing the part of â€Å"Pork†. Her costume is a large ham hock fashioned out of brown cloth and chicken wire. Everyone else is too worn out to come to the night’s pageant, so Scout and Jem go alone. Chapter 28 It’s a really dark night, but Scout has fun playing the various games the school put on before the pageant. The entire county is there to watch the show, and Scout invariably falls asleep waiting for her part in the play and makes her entrance much too late. She’s mortified, but it makes everyone laugh. Because she’s so embarrassed about her performance she asks Jem to wait until most of the people have left the school before they begin walking home. As they start their journey back home in the pitch black dark, Jem begins to hear someone following them. At first they think it’s their friend, Cecil, trying to scare them, but they begin to realize that it’s not. Before they know what’s hit them they’re attacked from whomever is following them. Scout is crushed under her costume, and then Jem screams. She can’t see a thing, and then things grow quiet and she realizes there are now 4 people under the tree. Scout stumbles out into the road, calling for Jem, and then sees a man walking unsteadily, carrying Jem in front of him towards their house. When she gets inside Atticus quickly calls the doctor and the Sheriff, and none of them know how badly Jem is hurt until Dr. Reynolds gets there and informs them that he’s got a broken arm. Heck Tate gets there next and tells them all that Bob Ewell is lying under the tree where they were attacked, dead with a kitchen knife stuck in his ribs. Chapter 29 Scout tells them all what happened leading up to the attack. The man that carried Jem into the house is still in the room with them, but he’s so silent and in the shadows that they pretty much forget he’s there. Heck Tate tells them that Scout’s costume probably saved her life, as there is a slash mark through the chicken wire where Bob Ewell tried to stab her. When she gets to the end of her story she realizes that the man who saved their lives, the man who carried Jem home, is Boo Radley. Chapter 30 As Dr. Reynolds starts to set Jem’s arm they all head to the front porch, where Boo will be more comfortable in the shadows. Scout leads him out and sits beside him in the deepest shadow. Atticus and Heck Tate get into a battle of wills over who really killed Bob Ewell. Atticus believes Jem did it, and refuses to have the affair â€Å"hushed up† so it’s hanging over Jem’s head and the county has ample material for gossip. Heck Tate contends that Bob Ewell fell on his knife, and flat out refuses to tell anyone that Boo Radley killed him (which is what really happened). His reason is because he knows all the ladies of Maycomb county would be by Boo’s house bringing him cakes to thank him, and he knows Boo doesn’t want to be dragged into the limelight. Finally, Atticus agrees to the story, and thanks Boo for saving his children. Chapter 31 Scout leads Boo back into the house one last time so he can say goodbye to Jem, who is still sleeping, and then she walks him home. After he goes inside she stands on his front porch and realizes that she can see the entire neighborhood. She understands that all through the years Boo has watched them grow up, playing games and living their lives. She begins to understand that maybe she and Jem did give something to Boo after all. She gives him a hug and heads back home. How to cite To Kill a Mocking Bird Summary, Papers

Approaches to Curriculum Design free essay sample

The common approaches to curriculum design include child or learner-centered, subject-centered and problem-centered approaches. Child or Learner-Centered Approach Child or Learner-centered approach places the child at the center of education. It begins with understanding the educational contexts from which a child comes. It continues with the teacher evaluating the childs progress towards learning objectives. The curriculum is constructed based on the needs, interest, purposes and abilities of the learners. Teachers attempt to maximize student productivity, knowledge acquisition, skills augmentation and development of personal and professional abilities. Teachers may use a variety of instructional tools and methods, as well as flexible arrangements of time and place. This design considers the following: 1. A new respect for the child is fundamental. 2. A new freedom of action is provided. 3. The whole activity is divided into units of work. 4. The recognition of the need for using and exploring many media for self-discovery and self-direction is embraced. We will write a custom essay sample on Approaches to Curriculum Design or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Subject-centered Approach This approach prescribes different and separate subjects into one broad field. The characteristics of the subject-matter, and the procedures, conceptual structures or relationships which are found within or among the subject-matter, dictate the kinds of activities that will be selected. Curriculum makers who are developing a curriculum organized around a given subject-area; will look at the facts, concepts, and skills related to, or encompassed by, that subject area, and plan activities that will lead learners from their prior experiences into mastery of the elements of the subject area. This approach considers the following: ?The primary focus is the subject matter. ?The emphasis is on bits and pieces of information which are detached from life. ?The continuing pursuit of learning outside the school is not emphasized. Learning should only take place inside the classroom. ?The subject matter serves as a means of identifying problems in living. Problem-centered Approach The world where the learners live and will work in will require them to gather, organize, and interpret data in the process of finding solutions to complex problems. It would seem only logical to provide a classroom setting where they will face similar issues. In the real world, the problems they face will not be ones for which they are selecting answers from a set of multiple choices. This approach assumes that in the process of living, children experience problems. Thus, problem solving enables the learners to become increasingly able to achieve complete or total development as individuals. This approach is characterized by the following views and beliefs: ?The learners are capable of directing and guiding themselves in resolving problems, thus they become independent learners. ?The learners are prepared to assume their civic responsibilities through direct participation in different activities. ?The curriculum leads the learners in the recognition of concerns and problems and in seeking solutions. The learners are considered problem solvers.

Heathcliff And Catherine Earnshaw In Emily BronteS Wuthering Heights E

Heathcliff And Catherine Earnshaw In Emily Bronte'S Wuthering Heights Love is an amazing emotion. People spend much of their lives searching for true love. When true love is found, people will do everything possible to hold on to and cherish it for eternity. It is said that true love can only be found once in a lifetime that is filled with intense everlasting emotions. A classic example of this powerful emotion is displayed by the characters Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights examines a passionate and overwhelming love between its central characters, Cathy and Heathcliff. Their love is profound and filled with passion unlike any other. Its intensity builds from their childhood until the untimely death of Catherine. The extent of this love is exemplified during Heathcliff and Catherine's interactions with each other, during Catherine's statements to Nelly, and during Catherine's death where Heathcliff and Catherine embrace for the last time. When Catherine and Heathcliff were young, they would ?run away to the moors in the morning and remain there all day?(44). They spent a lot of time together playing like children. It is in this time that they create their everlasting bond. Catherine and Heathcliff spend almost every waking hour together and inevitably fall in love. Whenever Catherine and Heathcliff talk about their love, their tone is high and wild. No words could possibly express the great passion they share, yet it becomes obvious in their ?interactions together?. At one point, Catherine stays at Thrushcross Grange for five weeks and comes back a different woman and her appearance seems more refined and polished. She has been influenced by the Lintons, particularly Edgar who she has developed an infatuation with. She has changed and ?seems? to look at Heathcliff in a different manner. Catherine says to him ?Why how very black and cross you look! and how-how funny and grim!?(52). Heathcliff can't believe his ears. He is so angry that he refuses to shake hands with her: ?I shall not stand to be laughed at, I shall not bear it?(52). Heathcliff wonders later if she misses him: ?Do you suppose she has nearly forgotten me? Every thought she spends on Linton, she spends a thousand on me?(149). The thought of Catherine loving another is unfathomable to Heathcliff, but he is convinced that she still loves him more. Here again, even when there is not an obvious display of love, it lies just below the surface of their interactions. Another side of the love shared between Catherine and Heathcliff is revealed in statements by Catherine to the servant Nelly Dean: ?Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same...Nelly I am Heathcliff?(182). Catherine loves Heathcliff so much that she feels that they share the same soul. Nothing can ever break this bond. Catherine herself then compares her love for Edgar and her love for Heathcliff: ?My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it...My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath-a source of little visible delight, but necessary?(82). It is as though she realizes the superficial love she has for Edgar and the eternal love she has for Heathcliff. Catherine knows she is about to marry the wrong man. What she does not realize is that this mistake will eventually bring about her demise. While Catherine layed on her deathbed, she is visited by Heathcliff. In this last interaction, they throw accusations of betrayal at each other with fiery intensity. In Catherine's delirium, she realizes her mistake of marrying Edgar, but knows now there is nothing she can do about it. She in on the verge of death, and deeply regrets betraying her heart: Why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart Cathy? I have not one word of comfort-you deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears...you loved me-then what right had you to leave me? I have not broken you heart...and in breaking it, you have broken mine(161). Heathcliff is clearly angry at Catherine but he still loves her. He embraces her before he leaves, wishing that he could just hold her forever. After Catherine dies, Heathcliff becomes very distraught and feels that he cannot survive alone. He curses her spirit out of anger and betrayal: ?May she wake in torment...May you not rest as long as I am living...Oh God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I

immanuel kant in LD essays

immanuel kant in LD essays Born in Konigsberd in East Prussia on April 22, 1724, Immanuel Kant has been one of the most influential philosophers in the history of Western philosophy. His contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics have had a dynamic impact on almost every philosophical movement that took place in the post Kant era. He began the early stages of his life at school of philosophy at the University of Konigsberg, where he studied the philosophy of Wolff and the mathematics and physics of Newton. Having spent most of his life as a university professor, he did not receive fame and recognition till his late fifties. His critical philosophy is what he was best known for. His Critical philosophy is divided into three portions: Critique of Pure Reason, Critique of Practical Reason, and Critique of Judgment. For 15 years after he obtained his doctorate, he taught at University of Kongsberg, lecturing first on science and mathematics, but gradually expanding his studies in almost all forms of philosophy. Having a very unorthodox religious teaching, which were based on rationalism rather than revelation, in 1792 king Frederick William II, forbid him to teach or write on religious subjects. After the death of the King, not feeling obligating any longer, Kant published a summary of his religious views. At the age of 46, Kant read the writings of a Scottish philosopher David Hume. Hume criticized and greatly disliked all metaphysics. Not agreeing totally with the works of David Hume, Kant decided to write his own critiques. Kant in 1781 released Critique of Pure Reason, in which Kant attempts to prove, that although our knowledge is derived from experience, it is possible to have knowledge of objects in advance of experience. Meaning that rather than learning from mistakes, we should already know the problems and complications associated with the situation, so we do not make that mistake in the fist place. Kant saw that there...

Microeconimics Simester Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Microeconimics Simester Assignment - Essay Example The factors that commonly influence demand conditions (with other things held constant) are, changes in tastes and preferences, income of people influences the demand of normal and inferior goods, changes in the size of population, weather, changing expectations and prices of other related goods such as substitutes and complements. Changes in these factors will shift the demand curve. As the demand for bio-fuels increase, this will result in a higher level of production of bio-fuels. Bio-fuel usually use both corn and sugar as inputs where the yield of these crops is utilized in the production process (Vidal n.d.) As a result of an increase in demand of the bio-fuel, a substantial rise was reported in the demand of corn. Corn is now required as a source of food as well as an input for bio-fuel production. The image shows the increase in price as a result of the increase in demand of crops. The previous demand used to be D1 which was added with the demand of crops for bio-fuels and th is resulted in the new demand curve D1+D2. This graph also shows how an addition to the demand has resulted in the increase of prices of crops to PC*. If the increased demand is not addressed by added production, then the prices rise because the market forces come into play and determine the market prices (AmosWEB n.d.). The above graph shows that the supply curve does not shift and merely extended and as a result the prices have increased. ii) Supply refers to the quantity of a product that the producers are willing and ready to produce at a given price. The graph below shows supply function. The supply function is upward sloping. This is because the greater the price, the greater will be incentive to produce more and hence the supply will increase. Changes in supply curve can occur because of a number of reasons such as change in technology, the cost of producing other goods and services such as substitutes, taxes and subsidies, changes in input costs, number of producers in the m arket and weather. Change in these factors causes the supply curve to shift. In this case, since the product under consideration is corn which is an agricultural product, it is a difficult task to enter the industry of producing corn because there is often a limitation of land availability. The optimum solution seems to improve the agricultural and conversion technology. If there is an improvement in the seed quality, then it will result in a greater yield which will increase the supply. Also, there is often wastage in the conversion process but this wastage can be controlled if a new technique and technology is introduced. This will result in added supply available for consumption and thus the overall supply increases. As the supply increases in this case, the prices of the crops will go down. Here, the image on the right shows that the increase in demand has shifted the curve towards the right, even the supply curve is shifted to the right because of improvement in production tech niques. This increase in supply is greater than the increase in demand and has helped to keep the price down despite the increase in demand. In our case, the supply of the crop has increased as a result of an improvement in agricultural and conversion technology and this will result in keeping the prices lower. iii) The bio-fuels are the new addition in the oils industry throughout the world. The formulation of ethanol has addressed the growing concerns of

BAE Automated Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

BAE Automated Systems - Research Paper Example In this scenario, if any of the aspects is compromised or limited, the remaining parts of the project will also be affected. This paper presented an analysis of the Denver Airport project which involved the implementation of the Baggage Handling System. This project was initiated to automate the Airport baggage handling. However, all the way through project lifecycle this project suffered a wide variety of issues and problems. This research is aimed at analyzing those issues and aspects. The basic purpose of this paper is to outline some of the major issues and aspects that influenced the successful completion of this project. In this scenario, this research covers basic problems (management failure/problems) and their causes and fixation policy regarding Denver Airport project of Baggage Handling System. In addition, this paper will attempt to explore some of the fundamental aspects of effective project handling and management. The thought of initiating and effectively managing projects is long-term an objective of any project. This paper presents a detailed analysis of Airport Baggage Handling System project. All the way through the lifecycle of this project, it suffered a number of problems which happened because of ineffective management and planning of such new technology-based projects. In fact, the project of Denver International Airport’s Baggage Handling System is believed to be one of the biggest examples of less effective project management that led this project to failure and losses. Without a doubt, it was a new technology-based project which demanded more high-tech technology implementation and management. In this scenario, there was a greater need for the new technology-based support with more accurate and high-level bagging processing capabilities. Hence, in such a huge and critical project there was a dire need for high-level planning and management of issues and other aspects.

Development Policies and Political Evolution of Jordan Essay

Development Policies and Political Evolution of Jordan - Essay Example He has the power to appoint or dismiss the judges, amend the constitution, wage wars, and control the armed forces. He appoints the council of ministers, led by the Prime Minister, which is entrusted with the responsibility of overlooking the affairs of the country concerning general policies. The Jordanian constitution offers three types of courts – civil, religious and special, and its administration comprises of a total of twelve governorates each of which is led by a governor, who in turn is appointed by the King. The governors of each governorate are responsible for supervising and managing all the government departments as well as developmental projects in their respective regions1. Jordan, a predominantly monarchist regime, has seen the tremendous transformation on the political front in the past decade. Its transition from monarchy towards a democracy has resulted in the establishment of a multi-party system, as well as framing of revolutionary laws and policies that aimed to ensure and safeguard political freedom. Jordan aims to establish itself as a model of a modern Islamic state with humanistic values. In pursuit of its ideals and a vision to create a model framework for the social, political and economic development of their country, the Ministry for Political Development was established in the year 2003. This organization put forward a formal definition that aptly described the country’s political ideologies. It is mentioned below: â€Å"Development is a modernization process that will develop the relationship between the State and society, which will foster public stability and social peace through developing the law regulating public affairs, stimulating public participation, restructuring the public concepts of organizational and institutional structures and transforming the concepts of adjustment loyalty, transparency, accountability and participation from the theoretical stage  into the application sphere."

Reviewing Recidivism In The Criminal Justice System Criminology Essay

Reviewing Recidivism In The Criminal Justice System Criminology Essay Recidivism, in the criminal justice context, is most simply defined as a relapse into criminal behavior (Merriam-Webster Online, 2010). Once a convicted criminal has served his or her time and is released from incarceration, in a perfect world, they would never return. One might assume that having lost all individual liberties, a person would do everything within their power to not ever be in that predicament again. However, against all logic, this is not always the case. When an ex-convict reoffends and is incarcerated again, he or she has then become a recidivism statistic. So the question is, Why does this happen? Does not the thought of untainted freedom appeal to these individuals? Secondly, does society have a role in ensuring these released prisoners have the skills necessary to progress forward as productive members of society; never to return to the prison system? Whose responsibility is it to ensure those who walk beyond the prison wall do not return? And third, with the nu mber of people in prisons and jails (in America) at an all time high, these are questions that beg to be answered. Since the burden of financing prisons falls upon the American tax-payers, it is of benefit to them to invest in efforts geared towards reducing recidivism. All of society has a large stake in keeping offenders out of prison, which in turn decreases the amount of new prisons which need to be built, staffed and funded. With that said, in order that the issue of recidivism be addressed, all involved parties must ultimately agree upon the best course of action. Many in the correctional field erroneously assume that what works to reduce re-offending rates for one individual may work for all. Thus, many programs in place today utilize a standard approach for the masses; recalling one instance in which that particular approach was successful. One side states the best approach to reducing recidivism is more discipline; harsher sentences and longer prison stays. Yet another faction may stand behind the various rehabilitation approaches which include: diversion programs, half-way house stays, treatment programs while incarcerated, work-release programs, substance abuse programs and 12-step programs to name a few. Furthermore, an additional barrier to any approach is the responsibility of correctional facilities to prove what works, via statistics and the like to enable such programs to be funded. So, what really works? Those in the criminal justice community (and scholars in general) make great claims as to what is most effective at reducing recidivism. Every political party, prison administrator, police officer or correctional officer has their own personal analysis on the matter. Nevertheless, as with any concern, before mapping out a solution the problem must first be properly identified. Unfortunately, recidivism is plagued with a number of unique problems which contribute tiny parts to the whole. One great contributor is the fact that many of the prisoners, before even becoming incarcerated, cannot read or write, have very little job skills, have anti-social behavior problems and may even be mentally unstable? With these issues comes the instigator of little to no treatment. Are the correctional institutions able to address these issues or are they simply ignoring them in the spirit of simple incapacitation? Although there is scientific evidence that rehabilitation really does work (even if on ly part of the time), many stake their claims on harsher punishment; retribution. Yes, there has been controversy regarding previous research based on conflicting definitions of recidivism and faulty statistics. Even so, exact definitions or not, the greatest harm to date is the application of a one size fits all approach. In this paper Ill review the various schools of thought and outline programs in use today. Secondly, Ill summarize the programs and approaches which seem to garner the attention of experts, via empirical evidence and scientific research, as possessing the greatest hope for reducing the rates of recidivism; even if only slightly. REHABILITATION Criminal justice policies were not always as punitive as they are today. During the 1950s and 1960s, most Americans held the optimistic view that offenders could be reformed and that it was the responsibility of the criminal justice system to do so (Pager, 2007). This mindset reflects societys tolerance and sympathy at the time. During this period the Federal Bureau of Prisons emphasized rehabilitation as a correctional tool for use in Federal prisons. This Medical Model, a term by which the rehabilitation movement was referred, placed offenders through treatment programs which included counseling, education and vocational training (UNICOR, 2010). Prisoners were taught vocational skills, attended educational courses, completed high-school course work, and in some instances received college degrees. Rehabilitation was a key part of the United States policy on incarceration and prisons in general (Benson, 2003). Another implicit motive for these rehabilitation efforts was the fact that a large majority of the prison population suffers from mental illness. This reality is no secret. Inmates, because of their risky lifestyles, poor access to health care, and substance abuse, are less healthy both physically and mentally (Petersilia, 2003). According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics Report, in 1997 an approximately 347,000 prisoners, both state and Federal, reported having a physical impairment or mental condition (Maruschak Beck, 2001). The severity of these illnesses can range from mild mental issues to severe illness such as schizophrenia. During the Medical Model era, and still today this issue lacks the full attention of correctional institutions and the criminal justice community. Nevertheless, treatment was offered for mental health issues during this time. Up until the mid-1970s offenders were often given mandatory therapy and drug treatment as part of their prison sentence. Many had substance abuse problems and were treated for such. Convicted criminals were seen as needing supervision, re-socialization, and support in acquiring the coping skills, behavioral therapy, and vocational skills which form the foundation for reentering society. At that time it was generally believed that counseling, education, and job training were central to criminal desistance and that active intervention could have lasting effects (Pager, 2007). As previously mentioned, many offenders enter prison as illiterates with very little marketable job skills, drug problems and mentally health issues. Thus, this approach seemed practical. Although necessary this rehabilitative approach would not last long enough. Unfortunately, when the get tough on crime initiatives rolled in the rehabilitation portion of punishment was rolled out. Former President Ronald Reagan took it upon himself to focus the nations attention toward the problems of drug use and distribution. These get tough on crime initiatives, a product of Reagans war on drugs, caused prison populations to explode almost instantaneously. Between 1980 and 1990, the annual number of drug offenders admitted to state prisons increased tenfold (Pager, 2007). With the inundation to the prison population it was technically impossible to effectively rehabilitate each and every prisoner. This was especially true with the increase in prisoner sentences being tied more specifically to drug offenses, which meant substance abuse treatment for all. Along with these new initiatives came a more corrective approach towards punishment which left little room for rehabilitation. Along with the prison explosion of the 1980s and 1990s came a decrease in financial backing for the departments of parole (Pager, 2007). This decrease, purportedly tied to the war on drugs, put a strain on parole officers role in the rehabilitation and reintegration process. Tasked with reintegrating offenders back into society, the departments of parole as a whole are an integral part of the reentry movement and effort to reduce recidivism. An offender is generally considered to be rehabilitated when he or she no longer represents a threat to members of the community and are therefore believed to be fit to live in that community (Gaines Miller, 2007). Parole officers are (or were) responsible for the post release portion of this rehabilitation effort; getting the ex-con back in touch with his or her community. After the prison explosion parole officers were now finding themselves with almost three times more the amount of caseloads then previously charged with. This reduction in ti me and increase in case loads meant less assistance and more correction and supervision. Yet another rehabilitative tool was being left behind. A great majority of the American public, ex-convicts included, have always had unfavorable opinions of the department of parole and probation officers. Now trust in the department was dwindling even further. WHAT WORKS Two (2) of the largest studies on recidivism were conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 1983 and again in 1994 (the fourth and fifth BJS study of offenders released from prison and their re-involvement in crime). The most obvious lesson learned from these studies was that from 1984 to the 1994 there was a 5% increase in recidivism for those prisoners released (Langan Levin, 2002). Thus, it would seem that the practices currently being utilized to address the concern of recidivism are, or have been, somewhat ineffective. Those released in 1994 were not only re-arrested in greater numbers than those released in 1983. But they were also re-arrested sooner after release and for graver offenses (Beck Shipley, 1989). The greatest chance for reoffending took place within the first year of release from prison (Langan Levin, 2002). As mentioned previously and as pointed out by both the BJS studies on recidivism, there are several contributing factors which come into play when co nsidering whether or not an individual will reoffend. Factor such as education level, prior arrests and/or previous incarcerations, age, gender, type of offense, amount of time served, and ethnicity. These characteristics, to name a few, are part of a reoffended equation. These characteristics can also be utilized to form a risk assessment, which may identify those who are at the greatest risk of reoffending. This insight again solidifies the notion that not each person can be addressed utilizing the same approach. Alongside research conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics stands a large body of study collectively known as the what works literature (Latessa Lowenkamp, What Works in Reducing Recidivism, 2006). The what works literature has, with the assistance of evidence-based research, further confirmed that what is good for the geese is not always good for the gander. As continuously stated, not all approaches work for every offender. In addition, even the most successful approaches are not successful every time (Hooley, 2010). Its unfortunate that some offenders simply cannot function outside of prison walls. There are those criminals who will ultimately remain criminals stuck in a cycle of reoffending. Part of the what works literature addresses this issue by addressing the risk and needs of each individual inmate or ex-convict. Dr. Edward J. Latessa and Dr. Christopher Lowenkamp, both Professors at the University of Cincinnati have dedicated much of their research to the study of recidivism. Drs. Latessa and Lowenkamp (2005) have a recurring theme that the components of effective correctional intervention, including offender reentry programs, have already been demonstrated and confirmed time and time again (p.72). Many academics (Petersilia 2003, Pager 2007, Hooley 2010) profess the fact that there are programs that have been scientifically proven more successful than others. According to Latessa and Lowenkamp (2005) the setback in recidivism stems from correctional institutions disregarding this large body of evidence in favor of quick fixes or the latest trends. According to Hooley (2010) and several authors of what works literature in addition to science based strategies and writings put out by the National Institute of Corrections, in order for a correctional system to be effective at reducing recidivism it must adhere to several core concepts. The most important core concept is a risk assessment; who to target (Latessa Lowenkamp, What Works in Reducing Recidivism, 2006). Included in this risk assessment are several characteristics identified in the Special Reports conducted by the BJS as well as others. These characteristics include, but are not limited to: age (the younger the prisoner when released, the higher the rate of recidivism), attitude (does the offender display anti-social attributes), criminal history (will he or she continue to hang around with other who cause trouble), motivation (will the offender seek and keep employment), and attitude (does the offender accept responsibility for their actions either good or bad). Once th ose at risk are identified, resources should only be expended on offenders with the highest probability of reoffending (Hooley, 2010). In the age of do more with less its imperative, both for taxpayers and the correctional system, to utilize funds and resources where they will most likely to have the biggest impact. It has also been proven that it is possible to do more harm than good if low risk offenders are paired and treated with high risk offenders. In Latessa and Lowenkamps 2005 article in the Ohio Judicial Conference, they speak of a second principle to be addressed; criminogenic needs. The most effective programs assess, address and meet the individuals criminogenic needs. These needs include who they hang out with, their attitudes, beliefs and values, their lack of problem solving, substance abuse issues, and employment status to name a few (Latessa Lowenkamp, What are Criminogenic Needs and Why are they important, 2005). They have the largest influence on what motivates the individual to reoffend. One such example is a recently released inmate who continues to associate with anti-social and criminal friends. Chances are they will be more likely to reoffend. Programs such as boot camps and other programs which address non-criminogenic needs are by themselves unsuccessful as they tend to not focus on crime-producing needs (Latessa Lowenkamp, What Works in Reducing Recidivism, 2006). Although self-esteem and discipline build ing programs can be helpful for a short period of time, those that fail to address the attributes which encourage criminal behavior will never be successful in the long term. While static criminogenic needs such as a prior criminal record and family criminality cant be change, dynamic criminogenic needs such as those listed above can be influenced to reduce the individuals chance of reentering the criminal justice system (Latessa Lowenkamp, What are Criminogenic Needs and Why are they important, 2005). The next concept is referred to as the treatment principle. This principle addresses the how to go about targeting offenders needs. Evidence-based programs that are not only behavioral in nature, but are also delivered by a well-trained staff have been proven to be successful (Hooley, 2010). Some offenders may have to be taught a whole new way of thinking. Cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on current factors influencing behavior that are action oriented with role-playing involved have a tremendous influence on improving anti-social behavior. A four to one ratio of positive reinforcement over sanctions has been found to be one of the most effective forms of treatment (Hooley, 2010). Many inmates have had no positive influence in their life or have never received positive reinforcement paired with non-criminal activity. Thus, in the treatment principal social learning is reinforced, via psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do ( National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 1996-2010). This encourages the individual to become less anti-social and motivated to do better. But above all, none of the above mentioned strategies are useful unless they can be delivered by a well-trained and dedicated staff. This applies to programs delivered both inside and outside of prison walls. In What Works in Reducing Recidivism, Latessa and Lowenkamp (2006) name this as the fifth core concept. All parties involved in the process of rehabilitating the offenders attitudes and behaviors must be on-board and on the same page. Those implicated must be trained, competent, consistent and sensitive to the offenders needs. This support is imperative. This requires on-going support as staying away from negative influences in the form of old friends and family may prove easier than staying away from drugs (Hooley, 2010). Dr. Lateesa cites recent studies which have demonstrated that even evidence-based programs can increase recidivism if not competently delivered (as cited by Washington Institute for Public Policy, 2004). THE REENTRY MOVEMENT There is a vast amount of anecdotal and empirical evidence pointing out the rise in prison populations. Furthermore, an abundance of reports signal an increased number of ex-convicts being released into the community. Hence, it only makes sense to focus more attention on pre-release programs and training. Much of the incentive surrounding the reentry movement have sprung from pressure on public policy makers to provide treatments and services that will smooth the integration process while reducing recidivism (Nunez-Neto, 2008). Approximately 650,000 people are released from prisons every year to return to communities that may or not welcome their return (U.S. Dept of Justice, 2010). With such a large number of annual releases, the most important question to be asked is whether or not those released are equipped to be productive members of society. Without the proper attention and equipment (both physically and mentally), they will not be prepared. It is with this information that a reentry movement of sorts has surfaced and gained great momentum during the past century. Correctional facilities are striving to make the transitioned from the punishment mindset to one of rehabilitation and preparation for prisoner reentry and reintegration. In the words of Joan Petersilia of the University of California at Irvine, prisoner reentry encompasses all activities and programming conducted to prepare ex-convicts to return safely to the community and to live as law abiding citizens (Petersilia, 2003). The correctional community at large is slowly coming to the realization that, without the tools required to function in what may be a whole new world, a recently released convict may have but one option; to resort to the criminal tendencies which proved useful prior to his or her incarceration. Part of the reentry progress has come with backing from the Federal government. On April 9, 2008 the Second Chance Act of 2007 was enacted. H.R. 1593 outlines the purposes of The Second Chance Act of 2007 as the following: To break the cycle of criminal recidivism, increase public safety, and help better address the growing population of criminal offenders who return to their communities and commit new crimes. To rebuild ties between offenders and their families and to encourage the development and support of programs that reduce recidivism. For example: substance abuse treatment, alternatives to incarceration, and comprehensive reentry services. To protect society and promote law-abiding conduct by providing necessary services to offenders. To assist offenders reentering the community with transitional services for a sufficient amount of time after incarceration. To provide offenders in prisons and jails with educational, literacy, vocational, and job placement services to facilitate re-entry into the community. (The Second Chance Act, 2008) This original Second Chance Act of 2007 was a way for Congress to authorize a number of new programs and expanded the current offender reentry grant program at the Department of Justice (Nunez-Neto, 2008). It also assists the Federal Bureau of Prisons with its offender reentry programs in modifying components which prove most successful for federal ex-offenders. And it establishes a prisoner reentry program at the Bureau of Prisons and bestows the agency with new authorities (Nunez-Neto, 2008). This Act, and other similar programs at the state and local levels, is instrumental in giving ex-offenders the boost they need to be more victorious in their quest to make it on the outside. REINTEGRATION Three phases are often associated with offender reentry programs. First there are those programs that take place during incarceration, which aim to prepare convicts for their release. Secondly there are those programs that take place during the convicts release period, which seeks to connect them with the various services they might require once released. And lastly, during the final phase, there are the long-term programs that support the offenders permanent reintegrate into their community and society. This final phase attempts to provide the support and supervision ex-cons require most (Nunez-Neto, 2008). It is also the most crucial phase as what happens during the months following an ex-cons release often determines if and how quickly they will or will not re-offend. As stated previously, from the late 1950s up until the mid-1970s offenders were often given mandatory therapy, drug treatment, behavioral therapy and coping skills during their incarceration period. Rehabilitation efforts were at the forefront of correctional reform. The pattern during this era emphasized rehabilitation and reintegration. Since the early 1980s, views towards these forms of traditional treatment efforts have begun to deteriorate (Kadela Seiter, 2003). With changes in ruling political parties and differing prison administrations also comes change in corrective tactics. Fortunately, the pendulum is returning towards rehabilitation and for the past century rehabilitation has been viewed as not only the most humane goal of punishment, but also as a cost-effective (and possibly crime-reducing) alternative to punishment (Gaines Miller, 2007). Nevertheless, in order to alter the in prison experience prison officials have to accept that prisoner reintegration is part of their core responsibilities (Petersilia, 2003). Correctional staff and prison administration must make extensive efforts to ensure the prisoners are prepared for reentry. This includes not only a return to providing education and treatment, but also promoting and environment that encourages positive relationships, improving life skills and conflict management as opposed to violence and domination (Petersilia, 2003). While incarcerated each day of an inmates life is planned and structured. The inmate is required to make very few decisions on his or her own behalf. Allowing an inmate opportunity to make decisions will reduce the trauma of having to deal with lifes decisions on the outside. Studies show that the most successful programs in the reentry movement are those which begin during the actual incarceration period. During the months, and possibly years, leading to release is when programs which attempt to connect inmates with services theyll require upon release are most important. Again, correctional staff truly engaged in the process must foster collaborations and develop partnerships with the community. These services can include employers willing to participate in work-release programs, family members who participate with the inmate in counseling services, and community services geared toward assistance with housing and transportation to name a few. The list of programs and assistance should be modified to meet the individual needs of each inmate. In the words of Joan Petersilia (2003), Just as welfare reform forced welfare agencies to shift from a dependency model to a model of transition to independence, so too a reentry perspective would force correctional agencies to take practical steps to move prisoners toward independence (p. 174). Even upon release from prison, an ex-convict is labeled by society. What seems to be a great instigator to the crisis of recidivism is the fact that upon being released from prison many a ex-con feel they are still doing time (Pager, 2007). Felons face numerous hurdles in todays world. Many (especially those with drug convictions) are barred from public assistance, which may include housing, food stamps, or, in the case of women, WIC (Women, Infant and Child assistance). Convicted felons cannot vote and in some states they are further disqualified from obtaining a drivers license (Samuels Mukamal, 2004). This is more grounds with which to facilitate the rehabilitation and return of the parole system. Without the Department of Paroles (due to abolishment in some states and determinate-sentencing releases in others) many states have form their own form of mandatory supervision. This supervision is still less individualized and based on risk rather than need, setting supervision levels based primarily on offenders history of criminal behavior (Kadela Seiter, 2003). Thus, even if an inmate has participated in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated and was assisted with reentry by both the prison personnel in conjunction with a well-trained staff, that inmate must still be able to successfully navigate the outside world. EMPLOYMENT Being able to find a job is one of the easiest ways for an ex-convict to get back on his or her feet. With employment comes the ability to pay rent, purchase food and clothing, a boost in self-esteem and, most importantly, the choice of not having to resort to illegal means. In addition, the ex-convict may be returning to a family for whom he or she must now provide. A job for an ex-con in this situation means an already stressful situation becomes less traumatic. For both male and female ex-cons, being able to find a job after being released from prison can only be a boost to their confidence and sense of worth. Research has empirically established a positive link between job stability and reduced criminal offending (Petersilia, 2003). However, for most the odds are against them. To add insult to injury, nearly 80 percent of parole boards nationwide list some form of gainful employment as a standard condition of parole (Pager, 2007). Back in the 1960s and 1970s Wisconsin, New York and Hawaii passed laws forbidding discriminating against ex-convicts based on their criminal record (Pager, 2007). Discrimination of this sort could only be done so if the nature of the crime was directly related to the specific responsibilities of the job (Pager, 2007). Of great note is the fact that only three (3) states have such laws preventing employment discrimination against ex-convicts. The view of the remaining states is indicative of societys judgment as a whole. The majority scrutinizes ex-convicts as untrustworthy, uneducated and unable to be employed for anything but manual labor. Many equate all felons to murderers and rapists. Unless more states pass similar laws, which hold the status of a protected category, similar to protections provided for minorities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts, the most important factor in successful reintegration will also be the hardest; finding a job. When applying for any job some of the questions an applicant must answer are those regarding previous criminal history. And in this age of technology many employers also have the option of conducting background check. Combinations of these two facts do not bode well for those with a criminal record. On a positive note, Petersilia (2003) reported that a recent survey revealed employers are becoming more receptive to the idea of hiring an ex-convict if a liaison-a service provider, counseling program or community center-is available to mentor and to help avert any problems (as cited by Wirthlin Worldwide, 2000)(p. 196). This is yet another testimony to the importance of an ex-con having an advocate on the outside. Whether it be a parole officer, a community-based program that has chosen to champion the felons fight, or family members intent on providing for their loved one; assistance plays a pivotal role in the success or failure of the ex-cons struggle. PAROLE The same get tough on crime policies that nearly abolished the rehabilitation mind set toward incarcerated prisoners were also responsible for inadvertently (or purposely depending on who is asked) diminishing the functions of the parole board. The stated role of parole is supposed to be to oversee the process of reentry and to assist the ex-convict in his path towards a crime-free life (Pager, 2007). However, during the 1960s and 1970s the job of the parole board was not only essential, but also meaningful and multi-faceted. During the years when the majority of the prison population was serving indeterminate sentences, the parole board was largely responsible for determining which prisoners would be allowed early release, via parole. Part of that decision process included requiring extremely dangerous and high risk inmates to serve the majority of their sentence (Kadela Seiter, 2003). They also made it their job to ensure inmates had a plan as to what they were going to do followi ng release from prison. Parole also served as an incentive for inmates to behave. Part of indeterminate sentencing included good time, which removed days and/or months from an inmates sentence for good behavior. This encouraged cooperation amongst prisoners who were highly aware that bad behavior could affect their chance of gaining parole. After the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, the length of time served by federal convicts for their crimes rose significantly. Sentencing reform statutes and truth-in-sentencing laws had the same effect at the state level (Gaines Miller, 2007). These legislative enactments were attempts to ensure convicts served the majority of their actual sentence; determinate sentencing. Secondly, change came on the heels of crimes committed by inmates who had gained parole and reflected societys belief that those being incarcerated were more violent that before. The down side of determinate sentencing, where most prisoners serve approximately 85% of their sentence, was the abolishment of parole by the federal government and between 14-16 states (Gaines Miller, 2007). In When Prisoners Come Home, Joan Petersilia (2003) presents twelve recommendations on how to reform parole and reentry practices (p. 171). Petersilia (2003) presents reinstituting discretionary release as an incentive for inmates to try to rehabilitate themselves while incarcerated (p. 188). Although inmates are to serve the majority of their sentence, these terms are generally shorter under determinate sentencing. Therefore, they have no motivation to earn good time or show effort toward rehabilitations since their sentences are shorter. And without discretionary parole the board no longer has the power or ability to deny release when it deems necessary. A case in point is Richard Allen Davis whose account is described by Petersilia (2003). Under indeterminate sentencing Davis was denied parole six times. With the Sentencing Reform Act, the state of California (in which Davis was imprisoned) chose to abolish discretionary parole. Thus, in 1993 Davis was mandatorily released due to time served. Less than four months later he kidnapped and brutally murdered Polly Klass (Petersilia, 2003). Ironically, this incident also fueled support for Californias passage of th