Law&Penitentiary Activities Project

Self-assesment of ESP learning

2008-05-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

WRITING SKILLS.
This activity has some parts. Firstly, summaries which I manage sufficiently well. As far as ESP vocabulary test is concerned, I try to learn all the most important words, therefore it is not difficult to do it well. Moreover, dictations is rather hard to me because very often I do not understant what is dictated and how to write more difficult words. Finally, contributions to weblogs are very easy for me, just I need to know spelling better.

SPEAKING SKILLS.
To begin with, participation in class is very important activity, one problem for me is that very often I am not able to express my lithuanian thoughts in English. Secondly, presentations is not difficult for me, only problem is to find appropriate information. Finaly, speaking in pairs is activity that I manage quite well.

LISTENING SKILLS.
Listening activities in class in very difficult for me because I cannot understand what is said in records. I need simplier records. In addition to this, listening to podcasts is difficult for me too, perhaps I need to listen more in order to improve this listening skills.

READING SKILLS.
Firsty, home reading is not difficult because I use dictionary, only problem is to choose meaning which would be correct in given context. Besides, class reading is not hard also because all unknown meanings are explained by teacher. Finally, reading comprehension exercises sometimes create some difficulties because of phrases that meanings are understanding difficult.

Intellectual property (summary)

2008-05-06T03:51:00.000-07:00

Intellectual property is someone written words, created art or music, invented technology. There are legal instruments in order to protect intellectual property.
Firstly, if a new discovery, scientific process is wanted to be protected from copying there is used patent. Secondly, when literature, artistic words, computer programs, movies and radio are wanted to be protected from copying there is used copyrights. Finally, companies use description to sell their products which is called trademark. There are several important conventions such as the Universal Copyright Convention, the Bern Convention, the Patent Corporation Treaty to enforcing intellectual property law internationally.
One more thing should be taken in to consideration, responsibility and consequences of breaking intellectual property. In some case infringing copyright can be a criminal offence and result imprisonment, huge fine or compensation.

Other recent shootings at schools (summary)

2008-04-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

Text is about shootings at USA schools from 1997 till 2001.
Firstly, there were mentioned fourteen events of shootings committed by adolescents from six to nineteen years old. Some of victims were wounded, there were even killed persons. Secondly, reasons of such behavior may be mental illness, possible access to the gun, having no responsibility for actions, wish of revenge. One more thing should be taken in to consideration, there were cases when police shoot juvenile delinquent in the event or criminals killed themselves but most were jailed and some sentences were suspended till eighteen.
Persons are psychologically unstable therefore they can’t control actions and just don’t know consequences of their behavior.

English and Lithuania Judicial Institutions.

2008-04-06T02:37:00.000-07:00

All countries of the world have their particular system of courts. It is interesting to know, what are similarities and differences between English and Lithuanian judicial institutions.
There are some similarities between English and Lithuania courts. First of all, both court’s systems have categories from lower courts to higher. Besides, these systems have High Court and Court of Appeal. In addition to this, in both systems there are Civil and Criminal divisions. Moreover, one part of English courts’ system is County Court, which in Lithuania is like District Court. Finally, in both judicial institutions can participate witnesses.
On the other hand, there are some differences between English and Lithuania judicial institutions. To begin with, the main difference is jury because in Lithuania there is no jury and in English is. Secondly, Lithuania courts’ system shows that our country is democracy and English courts reflect monarchy. Finally, in English there are no Special – administrative Courts as in Lithuania.
In conclusion, in spite of the fact that there are some differences between English and Lithuania judicial institutions, both have the most important similarity to ensure justice.

Prisons in UK and Lithuania

2008-03-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

United Kingdom

There are more than 85000 prisoners in about 160 jails in the UK. The vast majority of them are in England and Wales, where more than 77000 prisoners are held. There categories of prisoners are: A, B, C, D.
For checking identities and monitoring numbers is responsible reception. New arrivals are strip searched and issued with prison clothes. They are seen by nurse, to identify those coming off drugs, on medication or feeling suicidal.
Accommodation varies between prisons, ranging from single cells to dormitories. A typical wing will also include recreation areas and a food survey. Cells have toilets and prisoners are allowed TVs.
All prisoners have access to education. With jails offering a mix of course, including vocational qualifications. There is significant take-up of English lessons among the many foreign prisoners.
Prisoners have breakfast, lunch and an evening meal cost an average of 1.87 per prisoner per day. Many jails no longer have dinning halls and prisoners will often eat in their cells.
All prisoners have sport facilities to encourage exercise and good health among prisoners.
Facilities for visitors vary, but many prisons have a waiting area with basic amenities. Prison staff make sure that a visit is allowed and that visitors have the right paperwork. Most visits take place in a designated room. Family visits, with toys and a play area for children are held once a month.

Lithuania

There is one jail, even 52 correctional inspections, 17 correctional institutions. And there are about 11000 convicted by imprisonment.
In reception all prisoners are taken in checking station. Then quarantine starts. During this time (10 days) prisoners state and behavior are identify in order to decide in which group of prisoners he/she should be: simply, easy or disciplinary.
Prisoners live in cells where they sleep, pass most of their time and even have a toilet. Of course, there are areas of recreation, showers and canteen. They are allowed to have computers but not internet because of relation with society.
All prisoners have access to education and even high education. There are prisoners, who studying at university. They have lessons once a week, when teacher come to prison and held a lecture.
Food is given for prisoners for free three times per day in canteen. If prisoners have their own money, their can buy some food in the shop, which is in prison.
Prisons include no exercises, prisoners have only area, where they can walk, breath fresh air and be outside.
In prisons there are visiting areas for short visiting (4 hours) and for long visiting (2 days)
All visitors before allowed to go to prison are checked and must show document of identity.

Civil and Public Law (summary)

2008-02-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of categories of laws. Two of the most important are Civil law (analyses disputes among citizens within a country) and Public law (analyses disputes between citizens and the state, or between two states).
Most countries make differences between Civil and Criminal procedures. Civil actions are usually started by individuals. If in a civil action a defendant is found liable for civil wrongs he could be punished to pay a fine or damages for plaintiff. Criminal actions always started by the state and sued in Crown Court. The defendant could be prosecuted, found guilty and for this sentenced to life imprisonment. Besides, in civil case a crime cannot be proven if there is any doubt, therefore court will weigh evidences. In criminal cases all evidences must be proven ,,beyond reasonable doubt".
On the other hand, there is a contact between Criminal and Civil law. For example, loser of civil or criminal case must obey for orders of court and don't avoid liability.

Criminal Law (summary)

2007-12-06T05:28:00.000-08:00

A crime is an illegal act which in various countries could be understood differently.
In many legal systems a person cannot be found guilty until the state proves he committed a crime. Therefore, the elements of crime are detailed in statutes. There could be particular circumstances of each crimes and very different. There are two important elements to a crime expressed in Latin terms: Actus Reus (the criminal act itself), Mens Rea (the criminal state of mind of the person when he committed the act). Court must be sure that the act was a substantial cause of the result. There are cases when person can avoid guilt if he has defenses. There should be mentioned defense of duress, insanity, intoxication, self - defense. If there is a crime of passion, punishment could be mitigated.
Finally, criminal law is the fastest growing area of the law because it regulates almost every kind of human behavior.

Never Again (summary)

2007-10-25T04:19:00.000-07:00

Issue of capital punishment divides people in two groups: for execution and against.
There are some most important arguments of reintroducing capital punishment. Firstly, potential murderers would think twice before committing the act if they knew that they might also die. Moreover, criminals must get what they deserve and as a consequence, society would be safer. Finally, to hang convicted murderers is better than wasting taxpayers' money for them, while being in prison. On the other hand, there are several arguments againts death penalty. First of all, a huge rate of homicides. Besides, sometimes innocent people are wrongly convicted. One more thing should be taken in to consideration, that death penalty is a matter of individual conscience and belief. Finally, state should set an example to the society by not taking lives.
In conclusion, it is important to understand that Christianity preaches forgiveness, not revenge.

Amnesty International

2007-10-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who compaign for internationally recognized human rights. It is independent of any government, political faction, economy interest organization.

There are four the most important aims of AI. Firstly, the release of prisoners of conscience. Moreover, to oppose the death penalty, torture or other cruel, inhumane treatment or punishment of all prisoners. Thirdly, to end extra - judicial executions and ,,disppearance". Finally, AI opposes abuses by opposition groups - hostage taking torture and killing of prisoners and other arbitrary killings.

Important point is activities of AI. Thousand of AI groups in local communities, schools and colleges work on long - and - medium term assignments in support political prisoners, other individual victims of human rights abuses. For example to conduct research, to meet victims of human rights violations to observe trials, to contact local human rights activists and to meet government officials.

Another point worth mentioning is achievements of AI. Lots of released prisoners and even important people such us prime minister of Malaysia. Protection and support supplied for humans make them life more safer.

As far as Lithuania is concerned, AI activities refers Lithuania too. The most important issues are trade in human beings especially woman and girls, sexual abuses, prisoners' living conditions in prisons.

In conclusion, AI is one of the most important organization. It refers all countries in the world with one extremely important aim - to protect human rights.

My future profession

2007-09-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt, everybody dreams of choosing the rihgt profession. As far as I am concerned, I have just started to take step by step to my future career. I have entered to Mykolas Romeris University - Law and Penitentiary activity.
To tell the truth, I never thought that I will be studying something conected with law. It seemed too difficult for me. But now the more I study the more I am interested in penitentiary activities.
One more thing should be taken into consideration, that now I dream of becoming a professional procurator therefore profession which I have chosen gives me a lot of perspectives. Besides, I see that my university provides students with perfect conditions of studying. Therefore, opportunities to my future aims are very wide.
Finaly, law and penitentiary activity is an extraordinary subject because it is a bit dangerous due to work in prisons or correctional institutions. In spite of this fact, I hope I won't be frustrated and this profession will help me to become more intelligent, well educated person and after graduate to get a well-paid job.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that all people want to get maximum in their future, therefore it is extremely important to choose the right profession.