Breaking Barriers to Healthcare with ICT

Breaking Barriers to Healthcare with ICT Abu Ayub Ansari Introduction Health is the fundamental right of every citizen of a country. ICT is an important facility to access to healthcare service in both urban and rural areas. ICT may defined as technological system of communication, dissemination, storage, formation and management of information (1). Use of ICT in developing countries like Bangladesh is increasing day by day. ICT basically based on computers, internet system, telecommunication and highly modified technology. ICT health service also known as Electronic health, which is consist of m health, telemedicine, telepaths and help to breaking the access barrier by education, communication, helpline, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, tracking etc (2). Developing country like Bangladesh, MDG works to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Three MDG goals (goal-4, goal-5 and goal-6) basically take attention to health. Based on performance of ICT, developmental organization like- OECD, SIDA and DFID agreed that ICD initiates great policies in health programme to achieving MDG (3). Greater coverage of healthcare and easily accessibility now a days ICT is the most advanced technology. For taking history of patients faster, minimize adverse action of drug and for expert opinion now a days M-health is one of the popular healthcare services. Study objective How ICD breaking the access barrier of healthcare service. Methodology 1. A search for published literature in the last 10 years for any intervention dealing with ICT in a health service, where relationship with ICT and health , was conducted by electronic databases Pub Med and Global Health, as well as Google scholar for literature from the internet. 2. A scientific study was performed of published and grey literature. Literature was searched through the databases of PubMed, Medline and other journals, over the period 2005–2015. Relevant web sites were also consulted, such as those of Local government, Bilateral organization and NGO involved in research or interventions in performance. 3. Analysis of some YouTube video about ICT, e-Health, m-Health related with health service. 4. Total 14 article work were gathered and reviewed and only 10 articles and 1 YouTube video were cited in this scientific writing. Finding and Discussion Rural residency is a barrier that hampered to access health service. ICT developed a very good network for rural communities. Such as Grammen Telecom provide collaboration with health specialist of Diabetic Association Bangladesh to provide health service. So now it is easy to take expert opinion for treatment (4). Despite of rural residency people easily access health service without interruption. So in community level people easily can receive intervention without going to the urban area with the help of ICT. High treatment cost is great burden in LMICs like Bangladesh. Many poor people cannot properly access health service high cost of treatment .In Bangladesh, 6 mobile operators make agreements to TRCL to provide healthcare service. Everyday more than 10 thousand call received by doctors of mobile company and give conservative treatment which is easy and cheap to access (5). So for conservative treatment, ICT make the basic treatment so cheap, so people of LMICs easily access the healthcare service according to their need. For language barrier people from rural communities faces some difficulties to receive treatment. They not properly express themselves to the service provider and service provider are unable to understand to them treatment regimen. Telemedine not provide only treatment also refer to tertiary centre or specialized care during emergency by using local language (6). So using local language patients also share their problem and received treatment. In rural communities for family binding and social tiers women not properly access health services during ante natal period by visit the physician. MAMA APONJON is a mobile massage service to give ante natal advice by dialling 16227. After delivery mother were also dont take proper care to his children due to illiteracy. this service also give information about breast feeding, weaning and immunization (7). So without go outside a mother can receive all necessary information during and after pregnancy easy and continent way. E-Health basically monitors epidemic and outbreak reach by a expert monitoring network. Monitoring team always monitor the geo- spatial area and connected with the surveillance centre. So people will early aware about epidemic and take precaution and appropriate management (8). So access to E- health many lives saves from epidemic outbreak of disease. Both rural and urban area privacy problem is one of the barriers to access health service. E- health maintains a to properly maintain privacy of the patient and ownership will not addressed (9). In religious country like Bangladesh, females can easily access health service by maintaining privacy. Parents were not always aware about child immunization and sometimes forget. ICT provide effective immunization system and reminds parents time to time for immunization (10). Illiterate parents can also access immunization for their children. Conclusion- Healthcare service of developing country improved day by day. After this development people were not properly access health service due to some social and environmental factor. ICT advances system of health service delivery so people can access health service by breaking the barrier. ICT maintain communication with rural communities and provide health information. Cost and process of service delivery is very cheap and convenient so people easily can access the health service. It has also provide emergency treatment by refer to tertiary centre and maintain privacy every sector for easy accessibility. ICT also monitor epidemic area and alert people during outbreak, so people can take appropriate action to save lives and live hood. Recommendation- Effective introduction and implementation of ICT in rural community especially women so they can easily access this service. Give more resource to ICT as well as strengthen of ICT system. Give more training and professional education to ICT monitoring team. Active engagement of student in primary level of education. Proper maintains of accountability and responsiveness of service provider of ICT. In Bangladesh 75% of people live in rural area and but only 25% doctor provide service in this area, which is also not properly cover entire community(11). So, Government, bilateral organization, NGO should work together to better monitoring, implementation and strengthen of ICT system and correlate with health system according to priority of people , so people easily can access the health service any time, every palace without financial hardship. References 1. Ashraf M, Ansari NL. Evaluating the impact of mobile phone based â€Å" health help line † service in rural Bangladesh. :1–13. 2. Chowdhury MMH. e-Health in Bangladeshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: Current Status , Challenges , and Future Direction. 2014;4(2):87–96. 3. Secretary SA. Role of ICTs in the Health Sector in Developing Countriesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: A Critical Review of Literature. 2011;197–208. 4. Nessa A, Ameen MA, Ullah S, Kwak KS. Applicability of Telemedicine in Bangladeshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: Current Status and Future Prospects. 2008;948–53. 5. Jahan S, Chowdhury MMH. Assessment of Present Health Status in Bangladesh and the Applicability of E-health in Healthcare Servicesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: A Survey of Patients ’ Expectation toward E-health. 2014;2(6):121–4. 6. Chowdhury MMH, Satter AKMZ. The Role of E-Governance in Creating Digital Bangladesh. 2012;4(6):24–33. 7. Aponjon Overview [Internet]. [cited 2015 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2je5iZCiLg 8. O KS, Awodele O, O OS. ICTà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: An Effective Tool in Human Development. 2012;2(7):157–62. 9. Juma K, Nahason M, Apollo W, Gregory W, Patrick O. Current Status of E-Health in Kenya and Emerging Global Research Trends. 2012;2(1):50–4. 10. Makaza D, Madzima K, Olatokun WM. Editorialà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: ICT in education and in promoting health Stewart Marshall The University of the West Indies , Barbados , West Indies Wal Taylor Cape Peninsula University of Technology , Cape Town , South Africa. 2008;4(2):2–4. 11. Avento N, Sultana T. Potentialities of E-health in Bangladeshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯: Cooperation from Japan.

Report of Influence Leadership on Apple Inc

Report of influence leadership on Apple Inc | May 5 2011 | This report shows market review, SWOT and PEST of Apple Inc as well as back ground of Steve Jobs- brilliant CEO. It also criticize and relate to leadership theories in his case. | | Contents Introductions3 Findings4 1. Products and services4 2. Market review5 Literature review10 Conclusions15 Recommendations15 References16 Introductions It is obvious to suggest that the success of  a  corporate brand  is based on  many factors  that  impact directly  or indirectly to  delivering the  decision  to build  that success. Human factors, especially  the role of leaderships and  their decision  are  prerequisite  to bring ‘a unique success’  in both  business and  brand reputation. According to Fortune magazine, Apple Inc is â€Å"The Most Admired Company† in the USA in 2010 and becomes a leader in technical rivalry in majority areas such as consumer electronics as well as software products [ (Magazine, 2011) ]. Its success based on creativity and innovation strategies, and a significant advantages which allows the company to occupy the leading positions in the world market is leadership of this Company , specially Steve Jobs- a visionary talents CEO. He has played an important role in the development of the computer company. However, this was also the problem of Apple because of lack of Steve Jobs such as when he got cancer leading to falling down Apple' stock price in the past. So that, The aim of this report will focus on affection of leadership on Apple and how leadership theories relate in this case. This report also shows market review of Apple Inc and recommends for this company . The report based on secondary research (public information on the internet, journals and literature review from books). Laterally, the research will evaluate the fact and key theories in specific circumstance- Apple Inc and Steve Jobs. Findings 1. Products and services In 1976, Apple was co-founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The Company specializes designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronics products – personal computers, portable music players, mobile phones – as well as related software, services, and peripherals. Apple sells its products worldwide and provides support through its website . Additionally, Apple distributes digital entertainment content through its iTunes Store. While initially offering only music, the store has grown to include videos, television shows, films, and audio books. Apple's products and services include: * A range of personal computing products including desktop and portable computers. The Company’s desktop computers such as iMac ®, Mac ® Pro and Mac ® mini. Its portable computers include MacBook ®, MacBook ® Pro and MacBook Air ®. * iPod: The iPod was launched as a line of portable digital music players in 2001, a portable entertainment device capable of storing photos and playing video. iPhone: Released in June 2007, the iPhone marked Apple's entry into the rapidly growing Smartphone market. * In January 2010, introduced iPad, a multi-purpose mobile device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, viewing photos, watching videos†¦ etc * iTunes Store: in early 2001, iTunes is a digital media player application used to manage audio and video files. * Apple TV: Launched in 2007, the Apple TV is a dig ital media receiver designed to play content from an Internet media service or any computer running iTunes. AppleCare ® provides a range of support options for the Company’s customers, include assistance that is built into software products, printed and electronic product manuals, online support including comprehensive product information as well as technical aid, and the Apple Care Protection Plan (â€Å"APP†). * The Company offers a range of software products for consumers and creative customers, including the Company’s proprietary Mac OS X and iOS operating system software. Ipad2 Imac Iphone4 Macbook Pro 2. Market review The Company manages its business primarily on a geographic basis. Operating segments consist of the Americas, Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific. In September 25, 2010, the Company had opened a total of 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the U. S. A and 84 stores all over the world, approximately 44% of the Company’s total net sales in 2010 inside the USA. Also, the Company had nearly 46,600 full-time equivalent employees and 2,800 full-time equivalent temporary employees and contractors. It has worldwide annual net sales of $65. 225 billion in 2010. (Inc, 2011) Net sales and Gross margin of Apple Inc in 2008-2009-2010 ($ million) Net sales/ Revenue : during 2010 increased $22. 3 billion, or 52% compared with 2009. Overall, total net sales of Apple increases rapidly, specially in 2010. (Inc, 2011) Expenditure: $1. 8 billion, $1. 3 billion and $1. 1 billion in 2010, 2009 and 2008 to invest development of new innovative products, such as iPhone, iPod, iPad and Macbook. (Inc, 2011) Investment of Apple in 2008-2009-2010( percentage %) * PEST Analysis * Politics Different countries have different policies which some way restrict or give the company chances. The company has to act in accordance with the environment regulations such as environment safe disposal or recycling. Triad , NAFTA and other regions open doors to trade ,otherwise Latin America, Asia offer massive potential. Unstable politics caused terrorism activities are directly impacting the overall business of the company. * Social The growing of computer and internet usage all over the world which are opportunities to develop computer industry. Education issue is put first for new generation which is key element for business of the company. User becomes more knowledgeable and skilled about computer. Economic Impacting from economic crisis leading to low consumers spending, however some signs of improvement appears by increasing of spending and investment of consumers. Currency exchange rate fluctuations and international trade regulations (tariffs and antidumping penalties) may affect products sales. * Technology Advanced in technology quickly and consumers appreciate more ; more advances in their systems. The traditional desktop might become outdated by the entrance of new revolutionary products. Increasing demands for new technology in schools and professionals. * SWOT Analysis * Competitors SWOT and PEST analysis above showed overview criticism about Apple. The company has a good performance, however it also encounters aggressive competitors in all segments of its business. The markets for the Company’s products and services are highly competitive. Because the segments in which the Company competes are characterized by rapid technological advances, including personal computers with its Mac computers; mobile communications and media devices with its iPhone, iPad and iPod product families, and distribution of third-party digital content and applications with its online iTunes Store. For instance : * Personal computers segment: According to Fortune magazine, HP is ranked 2nd in list of World's most admired companies with score 7. 74 , HP's revenue is $126 billion in 2010. (Magazine, 2011) (HP, 2011) * Mobile communications segment: HTC- The world's largest maker of handset using Microsoft Corp. and Google Inc. operating systems. Its products use Google’s Android platform and   Windows Phone 7 software of  Microsoft. Revenue rose to NT$76 billion in third quarter 2010. Businessweek, 2011) * Software segment: Android, the free operating system developed by Google, accounted for a 32 percent share of the U. S. market for Smartphone bought in the past six months of 2010 according to August data from Nielsen Co. * Current and future trends Using Smartphone is increasing today( increased to 29 % in 2010, USA) (Roger Entner, 2011). A growing proportion of younger consumers opt to use their mobile contracts for all telecoms services. The focus of mobile indust ry will be on † platforms†, include operating systems ( iOS of Apple , Android of Google, and Microsoft's Window 7) . The combination of affordable data plan and increasing Smartphone usage would get more people online. Consumers are ready to spend more for their extra functionality, effective and fashionable products. Touch, eye, voice and possibly even brain controllers will be commonplace. It also is future trend for personal computers and portable music players. Literature review As mentioned above , Apple's success base on key point Steve Job- a brilliant CEO. Before analyzing influence of Steve Jobs on Apple and relate it with leadership theories, it is necessary to define leadership and its theories. Definition : Leadership is an interaction between two or members of a group that often involves structuring of the situation and the perceptions, expectation of members. Leaders are agent of change-person whose acts affect other people more than other people's act affect them. Leadership occurs when one group member modifies the motivation or competencies of others in the group. In fact, some peo ple are able to lead naturally while others, leadership skills are built up through hard work and practice. According to Stogdill's studies, there are 5 elements which modify effective leader traits : Capacity, Achievement, Responsibility, Participation, Status. (Bloisi et al. , 2007) In addition, 4 leader decision styles were classified include : Autocratic, Democratic, Laissez-faire, Human relation. (Bloisi et al. , 2007) Although, leader's success also depends on how they interact with various circumstances that influence the tasks to be undertaken. A range of researches was pointed out, however some popular theories have known( contingency theories). Firstly, The Fiedler contingency model-matching leader style and situational favorableness factors. It includes (Bloisi et al. , 2007) Task structure – the degree to which the duty are formalised and planned; Position power – the degree of influence a leader has over activities such as recruitment, authority, promotion and increasing salary; Leader-member relations – the degree of confidence, trust and respect inferiors have for the leader . Secondly, Hersey and Blanchard's (1996) situational leadership theory – matching leader behaviours to followers' needs. Based on combinations of the leader's task and relationship behaviours as moderated by the job maturity of followers. (Bloisi et al. , 2007). It includes: Task behaviours – organising and defining roles, structure, channel of communication; Relationship behaviours – relationship with inferiors by opening channel of communication and supporting. Thirdly, Path-goal theory ( House and Mitchell, 1974) : a leader should clarify goals, show acceptable paths for attaining goals, make the path easier to travel, and reward satisfactory performance. (Bloisi et al. , 2007). It includes: Directive leadership (highly task orientated)- provide guidance and how indentified performance standards and time schedules as well as policies; Achievement-orientated leadership (high task and relationship orientated) – challenge purpose is built up, seeks performance upgrading ; Participative leadership ( moderately task and highly relationship orientated ) – consulting with and soliciting the ideas of others in decision-making; Supportive leadership (highly relationship orientated) -concern for the needs and purposes of others and strives to make the work conditions satisfying and equitable. Additionally, there are 2 styles among several leadership styles which modify model of leaders. Firstly, Transactional leadership – using bureaucratic authority and incentives to motivate, focusing on rewards according to Bass theory. Secondly, Charismatic leadership – † heroic † leadership ; the ability to energize interiors through the use of symbols, visionary, stories and rhetoric to achieve at extraordinary levels, typically having a vision and a reason for the future , advanced by Weber (1947). Such information have demonstrated some traits and processes of leadership in an organisation. In fact , they are also traits which fit in Apple case. Its success story began in 1976, when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniaks launched their own business, the Apple Computer Company, in Jobs' family garage. At that time, he was 21, then by the age of 25 , Jobs obsessed $165 million . The increase of Apple's success quickly which put the first landmark in his line of business. (Campbell, 2011) In 1985, he got out of the way of Apple when John Sculley , who came from Pepsi-Cola, had joined. Four years later, Jobs came back with another company, NextStep which achieved far away from the success of Apple but it recalled people that he would continued in his way. Later, he secondly started with his participation in Pixar- the animation company he purchased from the Star Wars director, George Lucas. The first success of Pixar is movie Toy Story which lead to its position as one of the key player in Hollywood, then launching movie Finding Nemo. Its success made Jobs a billionaire and prepared for his coming back Apple in 1997. Within one year , the ailing company was once more making huge profits. However, his journey didn't stop at that point. Since the combination of high-speed Internet and the music industry has opened a new segment for getting profit by downloading music . Jobs believe that iTunes is the answer. Additionally, Ipad2 is leader in digital book and tablet segment now. (Campbell, 2011) Steve Jobs is really an effective leader, an important person in development of Apple. In many way , his traits fit in charismatic leadership. Firstly, an ideology is showed clearly, often using labels and slogans, He offered a vivid and positive image of the future. For instance, he used the slogan as well as the iconic logo of the Mac team:† Pirates! Not the Navy â€Å"to build up Mac team( a group specializes design new products) (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 38). Being pirate, employees should think differently and act as revolution. His goal and passion are perfect products. He concerned about every details of products carefully until it was launched. This is an ideological image which he and his team follow, becomes a motivation in the whole company. By articulating an ideological vision and recruiting a number of talents who share the values of the vision, he develops the company. Secondly, he showed clear structure to reach his goal as well as increases positive values and suggest linkages between expected behaviors from interiors with his vision of the future. For example, he formed the Mac group would never raise more than a hundred people because it was easy to fall into the danger of free flowing of ideas, barriers of communication among employees. He had a plan to guarantee everyone has the same wavelength and the same direction, setting a standard of doing each task for each staff (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 38). He ordered the team to create a whole new prototype of the computer using different chip, the Motorola 68000, which featured a lager memory. Another case, he forced people do his direction by calling meetings, setting new paths, adding new people into Mac team to move the cursor with some kind of control device . It led to moving the cursors with the mouse , clicking o make collection, dragging a file or icon (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 15). That was the fundamentals of the way we use computers today. Also, he was always finding for something specific from each group to link the quality he wanted. He brought out the creative talent in several people and guided them to work in harmony as well as encouraged open discussion. These characters also fit with Task behaviors of Hersey and Blanchard theory and Task structure of Fielder theory. Because both theories are quite similar , they show clear structure and aim to lead employees follow. H In fact, effective leader does not rely on one leadership style to manage company. Transaction leadership style also contain in this case. He has focused on achieving the tasks at hand. Jobs has got things done by making, and fulfilling, promises of recognition, and advancement for employees who have performed well. By contrast, employees who do not do good work are penalized. This promise and reward for good performance, or threat and discipline for poor performance. For example, he set up product retreats into the actual work agenda, opening them every three months for the whole growing Mac team. Every member was expected to be present. One by one, each team manager for hard ware, soft ware, marketing, sales, finance, PR would present a brief status report and time line , explaining where they were in term of agenda. If their team was falling behind , they would be criticized and given some suggestions for how they could overcome (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 43). Everybody was free to give suggestions. Besides, he decided that the signatures of the engineering team members would be put on the inside of the case of the first Mac. It's also a gift or recognition from him to interiors. Another case, achievement- oriented leadership consist with his traits, he was always discovering imperfections in everything , from the design to the marketing and packaging , to how the product would be promoted and sold. He always asked: † At the first grade level† (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 21) . In a story, he had decided early on that the cell phone being developed at Apple would have only a single button but his engineers couldn't carry out , then, he kept demanding in effect : † The phone will have a single button. Figure it out† (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 23). By high demanding, we have iPhone 4 with only a single button today. In addition, he is autocratic decision style because he always gave duty for others and decided quickly. However, he is a relation behaviors and supportive leader. He focused on the slogan: † We are all in this together† by bringing people from different aspects to meet each others in celebrations and to make a satisfaction work place such as allowing to work free of usual restrictions (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 40). Apple would become known as a company that celebrated just about everything: meeting goal, sales growth, new product introduction, new key people. In 1981, Bandley Drive building , a part of the center was a large atrium (Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011, p. 50). It had a piano, video games huge fridge stocked with bottles of fruit juice . It was quickly became a place for the employees to meet and hang out. Finally, his case consist with leader member relations theory. Because of all of his passion and actions , followers have a strong respect and trust to him. Talents would be attracted by talents, that is explanation for Why Apple attracted many genius engineers and developed nowadays. At last but not least, that is the innovation of Steve Jobs in the whole business context. Technologies which he developed and advanced in NextStep and Pixar were applied on Apple Inc. That is really a basic for Apple's success . He always plays an important role in making right decision as the statement about leader and manager : Leader do the right thing , manager do the thing right. (Bloisi et al. , 2007) Conclusions Steve Jobs is criticized as an effective leader in the world. His famous and the well known of Apple remain together and will keep an important position in world trade. He is a part of success of Apple Inc and a leader in significant decision of development of his company. Understanding Apple Inc case and its market as well as an important leader- Steve Jobs will make us be aware of some traits of leadership in many theories deeply. His leadership style are : Task behaviors of Hersey and Blanchard theory and Task structure of Fielder theory, Charismatic leadership and Transaction leadership as well as Relation behaviors and Supportive leader. So that, it is realization that an successful leader always exists different leadership styles. Leaders always change their leadership style flexibility which is suitable for each task and each circumstance. Recommendations A part of the success of Apple based on Steve Jobs but it is dangerous if lack of this key leader. Besides, Job also shows that he is impatient person. So, it is considered seriously that Apple should give structure and motivation for employees as well as the whole company clearly and make it become tradition. Also, it is necessary to improve workplace such as improving workplace conditions in China and invest more in charity segment as Microsoft. It is useful to promote Apple's image. References Bloisi, W. , W. Cook, C. ; L. Hunsaker, P. , 2007. Leadership. In K. Reade, ed. Management and Organisational Behaviour. 2nd ed. New York: Mc Graw Hill Education. pp. 652- 672. Businessweek, B. , 2011. Boomberg. [Online] Available at: http://www. businessweek. com/news/2010-10-06/htc-posts-record-revenue-profit-on-android-phones. html [Accessed 4 May 2011]. Campbell, D. , 2011. Guardian. [Online] Available at: http://arts. uardian. co. uk/features/story/0,11710,1241745,00. html [Accessed 4 May 2011]. Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011. In The Steve Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation. New York: Vanguard Press. p. 38. Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011. In The Steve Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation. New York: Vanguard Press. p. 21. Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011. In The Stev e Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation. New York: Vanguard Press. p. 23. Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011. In The Steve Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation. New York: Vanguard Press. p. 40. Elliot, Jay; L. Simon,William, 2011. In The Steve Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation. New York: Vanguard Press. p. 50. HP, 2011. HP Coporate information. [Online] Available at: http://www8. hp. com/us/en/hp-information/facts. html [Accessed 4 May 2011]. Inc, A. , 2011. Apple Inc. [Online] Available at: http://www. apple. com/investor/ [Accessed 4 May 2011]. Magazine, F. , 2011. Money. cnn. [Online] Available at: http://money. cnn. com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2010/industries/7. html [Accessed 4 May 2011]. Roger Entner, S. V. P. R. a. I. T. P. , 2011. nielsewire. [Online] Available at:

Maximum-security prisons Essay

Abstract Maximum-security prisons are known to be designed and organized to prevent escapes and violence and to deter prisoners from harming one another including the correctional officers. Super-max facilities imposes strict limitations on the freedom of inmates and visitors. These prisons, usually an imposing edifice are prisons surrounded by high stone walls studded with guard towers. The purpose of these type of facilities is custody and discipline, it embraces military-style approach to order. Prisoners in custody under these facilities follow a strict routine. Inmates behavior is surveillanced, head counts are frequent eliminating the all the prisoners’ privacy. Introduction Supermax (short for â€Å"super-maximum security†) is the name used to describe â€Å"control-unit† prisons, or units within prisons, which represent the most secure levels of custody in the prison systems of certain countries. The objective is to provide long term, segregated housing for inmates classified as the highest security risks in the prison system — the â€Å"worst of the worst† criminals, and those who pose a threat to national and international security. (Mears, Daniel 2012) As stated in the Wiipedia the free Encyclopedia, Supermax and Security Housing Unit (SHU) prisons are controversial; some claim that the living conditions in such facilities violate the United States Constitution, specifically, the Eighth Amendment’s proscription against â€Å"cruel and unusual† punishments. In 1996, a United Nations team assigned to investigate torture described SHU conditions as â€Å"inhuman and degrading.† A 2011 New York Bar association comprehensive study suggested that supermax prisons constitute â€Å"torture under international law† and â€Å"cruel and unusual punishment under the U.S. Constitution.† In 2012, a federal class action suit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons and officials who run ADX Florence SHU (Bacote v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, Civil Action 1:12-cv-01570) alleged chronic abuse, failure to properly diagnose and  neglect of prisoners who are seriously mentally ill. The U.S. government houses a number of convicted terrorists, gang leaders, spies, and similar prisoners in a supermax prison known as ADMAX, the Federal administrative maximum security prison in Florence, Colorado, west of Pueblo. Al-Qaeda terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui was sentenced to life without parole at Florence upon his conviction on May 4, 2006.Residents also include Theodore Kaczynski, a domestic terrorist otherwise known as the Unabomber, who once attacked via mail bombs; Robert Hanssen, an American FBI Agent turned Soviet spy; Terry Nichols, an accomplice to the Oklahoma City bombing; and Richard Reid, known as the â€Å"Shoe Bomber†, who was jailed for life for attempting to detonate explosive materials in his shoes while on board an aircraft. A lawsuit alleges severe abuse of federal prisoners at ADX-Florence in Colorado, what’s known as a supermax facility where many inmates are housed in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. It charges the government violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. Conclusion To conclude, I would recommend the super-max prisons to consider the lives of prisoners being locked-up having no privileges at all. I acknowledge the fact that they have committed horrible and heavy crimes and those acts that have already been made have caused damage to the state and/or the U.S. and that what has been done you cannot take back or undo but I strongly believe that these criminals should have at least a fair lock up there with a few privileges allowed in these maximum-security prisons. The prisons should allow the inmates to have at least some contact with other prisoners and a little more freedom. According to Mr. Arone (American Corrections p. 270) â€Å"If you lock a dog in a pen and throw food inside three times a day and never talk to him after a year when you open the pen you’re going to have a killer.† This makes absolute sense because I strongly believe that when a person is locked up in four walls with nothing to do or no one to talk to and with limited disgusting food thrown in, it will definitely make a person go crazy  throughout the time. These criminals are already serving time for their crimes but I don’t agree that they should be treated like animals. This is severe abuse is called cruel punishment. To conclude, I would recommend the super-max prisons to consider the lives of prisoners being locked-up having no privileges at all. I acknowledge the fact that they have committed horrible and heavy crimes and those acts that have already been made have caused damage to the state and/or the U.S. and that what has been done you cannot take back or undo but I strongly believe that these criminals should have at least a fair lock up there with a few privileges allowed several times a week at the least in these maximum-security prisons. The prisons should allow the inmates to have at least some contact with other prisoners in hope of therapeatic communication, and a little more freedom for personal needs.

Meaning of Different Surnames on Your Y-DNA Results

Even though Y-DNA follows the direct male line, matches with surnames other than your own can occur. This can be disconcerting for many until you realize that there are several possible explanations. If your Y-DNA marker results closely match an individual with a different surname, and your genealogy research does not seem to indicate a past adoption or extra-marital event in the family line (often referred to as a non-paternity event), then the match may be the result of any of the following: 1. Your Common Ancestor Lived Prior to the Establishment of Surnames The common ancestor you share with individuals of different surnames on the Y-DNA line may be many, many generations back in your family tree, prior to the establishment of hereditary surnames. This is the most likely reason for populations where a surname that passes down unchanged from generation to generation was often not adopted until a century or two ago, such as Scandinavian and Jewish populations 2.  Convergence Has Occurred Sometimes mutations can occur through many generations in completely unrelated families which result in matching haplotypes in the present time frame. Basically, with enough time and enough possible combinations of mutations, it is possible to end up with matching or closely matching Y-DNA marker results in individuals who do not share a common ancestor on the male line. Convergence is more plausible in individuals belonging to common haplogroups. 3.  A Branch of the Family Adopted a Different Surname Another common explanation for unexpected matches with different surnames is that either your or your DNA matchs branch of the family adopted a different surname at some point. A change in surname often takes place around the time of an immigration event but may have occurred at any point in your family tree for any one of a number of different reasons (i.e. children adopted the name of their step-father). The likelihood of each of these possible explanations depends, in part, on how common or rare your paternal haplogroup is (your Y-DNA matches all have the same haplogroup as you). Individuals in the very common R1b1b2 haplogroup, for example, will likely find they match many people with different surnames. These matches are likely the result of convergence, or of a common ancestor who lived prior to the adoption of surnames. If you have a more rare haplogroup such as G2, a match with a different surname (especially if there are several matches with that same surname) is much more likely to indicate a possible unknown adoption, a first husband you may not have discovered, or an extramarital event. Where Do I Go Next? When you match a man with a different surname and you are both interested in learning more about how far back your common ancestor likely lived, or whether there may be a possibility of adoption or other non-paternal events, there are several steps you can take next: Upgrade the Y-DNA test to 111 markers (or at least 67) for both you and your match. If you both match with only 1 or 2 mutations at that level then you are likely to connect within a fairly recent genealogical time frame (7th cousins or closer)Find a second person to DNA test from both your line and your matchs line. This will need to be another male relative on your direct paternal line, preferably as far back as possible on the line based on generation, not age. If both of the new men tested also match each other as well as the two original test takers, this further confirms the genealogical connection.Go through the genealogical research done on the direct male ancestors of the two matching men with a fine-tooth comb, looking for locations that each family may have had in common. Were any of their ancestors neighbors in the same county? Or perhaps attended the same church? This may help you to determine in which generation the common ancestor likely lived.