Criminal Justice System Essays (Examples)
Study Document
Reforming The Criminal System
The Need for criminal justice Reform and Bail Reform
When it comes to incarceration, the U.S. has the worst record in the world: the U.S. is only 4.4% … the average cost of bail, which in the U.S. is $11,000 (ACLU, 2019). For these reasons, there is a need to establish both criminal justice reform and bail reform in the U.S. The American Gulag is like that of the Soviet Gulag: people lose their entire lives once … in the U.S. The American Gulag is like that of the Soviet Gulag: people lose their entire lives once they disappear into the system, where they become basically slave laborers for the corporations working for pennies on the dollar while incarcerated (Pelaez, 2019).
Advocacy groups that support … groups that support bail reform are The Sentencing Project, which is a Wasington, D.C.-based national reform group that focuses on racism in the justice……
References
References
ACLU. (2019). ACLU lawsuit goes after $2 billion bail industry that profits off poor people. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-lawsuit-goes-after-2-billion-bail-industry-profits-poor-people
Drug Policy Alliance. (2019). New Jersey Judiciary Releases Annual Bail Reform Report, with Additional Key Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.drugpolicy.org/press-release/2019/04/new-jersey-judiciary-releases-annual-bail-reform-report-additional-key
Pelaez, V. (2019). The Prison Industry in the United States: Big Business or a New Form of Slavery? Retrieved from https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-prison-industry-in-the-united-states-big-business-or-a-new-form-of-slavery/8289
Ziegelheim, D. (2018). Grassroots Organizations Are Leading The Way On Criminal Justice Reform. Retrieved from https://psmag.com/social-justice/the-grassroots-organizations-leading-criminal-justice-reform
Study Document
Private Prison Industry And Mental Health Of Inmates
My view of criminal justice has changed completely. Before this course, I was under the impression that the criminal justice system be flawed—but what system is perfect? Now I have a much better understanding of the nature of that system and the reasons it is not just imperfect but in major need of reform if not total re-development. The reason I say that … mental health issues are a big part of the problem. It is almost to the point where crime has really become not a criminal justice problem but rather a mental health problem, as nearly half of all crimes are committed by people with a history of mental health … dollar for their labor (Pelaez, 2014). They are not rehabilitated. They do not receive mental health treatment.
That is a major problem. The criminal justice system supported by for-profit private prisons that make money off……
References
References
Evans Cuellar, A., McReynolds, L. S., & Wasserman, G. A. (2006). A cure for crime: Can mental health treatment diversion reduce crime among youth?. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management: The Journal of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, 25(1), 197-214.
Pelaez, V. (2014). The prison industry in the United States: big business or a new form of slavery?. Global Research, 31, 1-2.
Study Document
Determinate Versus Indeterminate Sentencing Policies
… a minimum and a maximum but defers authority regarding when a prisoner is released (or when probation ends) to other members of the criminal justice system as parole board members and probation officers. Determinate sentencing is just the opposite: a procedure in which the trial judge does sentence … be deemed more fair overall.
Pros of Indeterminate Sentencing
Indeterminate sentencing has been hailed for its potential usefulness in promoting rehabilitative models in criminal justice. With an indeterminate sentence, the parole board exercises discretion based on multiple factors such as good conduct exhibited while the offender serves time … professional discretion exercised by probation officers, judges, parole boards, and corrections officers (Tonry, 1999). Therefore, indeterminate sentencing works well from the perspective of criminal justice professionals. Rather than relying on a single decision made by one trial judge, the system operates as a whole with a diversity of opinion governing……
References
References
Allen, J. (2016). CU rape case sparks debate over Colorado’s indeterminate sentencing law. The Denver Channel. Retrieved from: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/colorados-indeterminate-sentencing-criticized
Baker, J. (2020, Aug 10). Davis sentenced to 15 years in 2017 Wheeling hotel killing. WTOV. Retrieved from: https://wtov9.com/news/local/davis-sentenced-to-15-years-in-2017-wheeling-hotel-killing
Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (n.d.). Indeterminate sentence. Retrieved from: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/indeterminate_sentence
Gant, J. & Hussain, D. (2020, 5 Aug). Hero PC Andrew Harper’s mother slams ‘unduly lenient sentences for her son’s killers. Daily Mail. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8592283/Attorney-General-review-jail-terms-handed-three-teenagers-killed-PC-Andrew-Harper.html
Green, S.J. (2020, Aug 6). Brothers sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2016 shooting at Seattle homeless encampment. Bakersfield. Retrieved from: https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/national/brothers-sentenced-to-40-years-in-prison-for-2016-shooting-at-seattle-homeless-encampment/article_5c5d040d-0e0c-532e-9fd7-794232746f5d.html
O’Hear, M.M. (2011). Beyond rehabilitation. 48 Am. Crim. L. Rev. 1247 (2011).
Puzauskas, K. & Morrow, K. (2018). No indeterminate sentencing without parole. 44 Ohio N.U. L. Rev. 263 (2018).
Rhine, E.E., Watts, A. & Reitz, K.R. (2018). Parole boards within indeterminate and determinate sentencing structures. Robina Institute of Law and Criminal Justice. Retrieved from: https://robinainstitute.umn.edu/news-views/parole-boards-within-indeterminate-and-determinate-sentencing-structures
Study Document
Evolution Of Forensic Science
Forensic science evolved as an attempt to introduce scientific methods into criminal justice. From the 18th century onward, advancements in chemistry, biology, and physics paved the way for forensic science (Gaensslen & Larsen, 2019). Likewise, the … forensic science could have a direct impact on juror decisions, distinguishing real from junk science becomes one of the most important issues in criminal justice.
Scientific Methods in Forensic Science
Forensic scientific methods are varied and complex,“ranging from DNA analysis to chemical composition to pattern recognition,” (Bell, Sah, … yet to be vetted by the scientific community. Instead, the standards of validity and reliability were established by members of the legal and criminal justice systems (Bell, Sah, Albright, et al., 2018). Ongoing investigations critiquing the methods used in forensic science led to the dismantling of the National Commission … critiquing the methods used in forensic science led to the dismantling of the National……
References
References
Ballantyne, K. N., Edmond, G., & Found, B. (2017). Peer review in forensic science. Forensic Science International, 277, 66–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.05.020
Bell, S., Sah, S., Albright, T. D., Gates, S. J., Jr, Denton, M. B., & Casadevall, A. (2018). A call for more science in forensic science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 115(18), 4541–4544. https://doi.org//10.1073/pnas.1712161115
Gaensslen, R. E., & Larsen, K. (2019). Introductory forensic science (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://content.ashford.edu/
Kaplan , A. B., & Puracal, J. C. (2018). It’s not a match: Why the law can’t let go of junk science. Albany Law Review, 81(3), 895–939. Retrieved from http://www.albanylawreview.org/Pages/home.aspx
National Research Council 2009. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12589 .
Redmayne, M., Roberts, P., Aitken, C., & Jackson, G. (2011). Forensic science evidence in question. Criminal Law Review 5, 347–356 Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Graham_Jackson6/publication/265654577_Forensic_Science_Evidence_in_Question/links/55006b8d0cf2aee14b548b62/Forensic-Science-Evidence-in-Question.pdf
Shelton, D. E. (2008, March). The ‘CSI effect:’ Does it really exist?. NIJ Journal, 259. Retrieved from https://www.nij.gov/journals/259/pages/csi-effect.aspx#author
Study Document
Solitary Confinement And Mental Health Issues In Corrections
Functions, Issues, and Objectives in Corrections
Introduction
The functions of the historical state correctional system have changed since the founding of the nation more than 200 years ago. The Jacksonian Era, the Era of Reconstruction and the Progressive … Progressive Era on up to the reform of the 1970s all effected different changes to the function—i.e., the goals and activities—of the correctional system. Pennsylvania’s state correctional system was the first to introduce solitary confinement as a way of removing the deviant element from society. This was part of William Penn’s … resolve to reform himself and become a better contributing member of society. Today, solitary confinement is a controversial option in the state correctional system and not one that is used with the same goal in mind as when Pennsylvania instituted the reform-minded approach to corrections. This paper … goal in mind as when Pennsylvania instituted the reform-minded approach to……
References
References
Clemmer, D. (1940). The prison community. New Braunfels, TX: Christopher Publishing House.
Compton, M. T., Anderson, S., Broussard, B., Ellis, S., Halpern, B., Pauselli, L., . . .Johnson, M. (2017). A potential new form of jail diversion and reconnection to mental health services: II. Demonstration of feasibility. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 35(5–6), 492–500. doi:10.1002/bsl.2319
Corrections Arizona Department. (2020). Retrieved from https://corrections.az.gov/location/110/kingman
Dryburgh, M. (2009). Policy implications of whistle-blowing: The case of Corcoran State Prison. Public Integrity, 11(2): 155-170.
Fantel, H. (1974). William Penn: Apostle of Dissent. NY: William Morrow & Co. Florida Department of Corrections. (2020). Retrieved from
https://twitter.com/FL_Corrections/status/1234884340296843266
Hensley, J. & Rough, G. (2011). Kingman prison still under scrutiny. Retrieved from http://archive.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/30/20110130kingman-prison-still-under-scrutiny0130.html
HIV among Incarcerated Populations. (2015). CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/correctional.html
Study Document
Death Penalty In Canada
… murder What is your position and why
Why are people punished for their crimes? What is the driving idea behind punitive sentencing in criminal justice? Is life behind bars somehow to be considered more humane of a sentence for a person who commits premeditated murder? Or is knowing … at the matter from the various ethical standpoints: deontology, utilitarianism and virtue ethics. One can also look at the ethical characteristics of the criminal justice system Canada as it is today and compare it to the ethical ideals behind the big three ethical points of view. This paper … paper will do just that and show that the death penalty in Canada should be reinstated for premeditated murder on the principle of justice.
Kronenwetter points out that in virtually every society throughout history “all punishment is based on the same simple proposition: There must be a … and the……
References
Works Cited
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood. NY: Vintage, 1994.
Holmes, A. Ethics: Approaching moral decisions. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007.
Hursthouse, Rosalind. “Virtue Ethics.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2016. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
Kronenwetter, M. Capital Punishment: A Reference Handbook. CA: ABC-CLIO, 2001.
Robbins, Tim, dir. Dead Man Walking. Gramercy Pictures, 1995. Film.
Study Document
Treatment Versus Punishment
… child abuse. Yet every year children are tried and punished for crimes as though they were adults. While sometimes punitive approaches to juvenile justice may be necessary in order to teach a lesson, they should not be on the scale of what they are for adults. The … in order to teach a lesson, they should not be on the scale of what they are for adults. The focus of juvenile justice should be on rehabilitation—not punishment. This paper will explain why treatment is the better option when it comes to juvenile justice.
Differences between Treatment and Punishment
The concept of treatment focuses on the idea that juveniles who commit a crime, whether it is selling … a house, rape, or murder, are still children and they should be viewed as children who are in serious need of help. The justice system should adopt a more humane approach to……
References
References
Agnew, R. (2008). Strain Theory. In V. Parrillo (Ed.), Encyclopedia of social problems. (pp. 904-906). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Cramer, M. (2014). Parole Board releases 2nd man convicted of murder as juvenile. Retrieved from https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/06/parole-board-releases-man-convicted-murder-while-juvenile/REwVVe3aR9leuRVMpZsN6O/story.html
Diskin, M. (2018). New law will put limits. Retrieved from https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2018/10/11/new-california-law-means-teen-suspect-oxnard-murders-cannot-tried-adult/1535518002/
Fritz, J. K. (2015). Diverting young offenders from prison is ‘smart justice.’ Education Digest, 81(2), 53-55.
Jannetta, J., & Okeke, C. (2017). Strategies for Reducing Criminal and Juvenile Justice Involvement. Building Ladders of Opportunity for Young People in the Great Lakes States, brief, 4. Retrieved from https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/94516/strategies-for-reducing-criminal-and-juvenile-justice-involvement_2.pdf " target="_blank" REL="NOFOLLOW">
Study Document
Mental Health Courts
Mental health courts in the criminal justice system designed for individuals with a mental health disability. They act as alternative courts for such individuals though they are similar to other … individuals. As a result of unique needs of these individuals, practitioners altered their approaches to mental health individuals coming into contact with the criminal justice system establishing mental health courts. This resulted in fundamental in how mental health issues affecting the criminal justice system dealt with.
Even though there are different components of the criminal justice system, the commonalities of the solutions identified for such individuals include de-stigmatization and treatment programs. De-stigmatization and mental health treatment has characterized approaches adopted … de-stigmatization and treatment programs. De-stigmatization and mental health treatment has characterized approaches adopted to deal mental health individuals coming into contact with the criminal justice system. As a result, the criminal justice system a……
References
References
Mental Health America. (2020). Position Statement 53: Mental Health Courts. Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://www.mhanational.org/issues/position-statement-53-mental-health-courts
Thompson, M., Osher, F. & Tomasini-Joshi, D. (2007). Improving Responses to People with Mental Illnesses. Retrieved from Bureau of Justice Assistance website: https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/MHC_Essential_Elements.pdf
Study Document
War On Drugs
… Is it effective? Quantify the deaths related to the WOD, as well as the social entropy in communities, families, and within individuals
2. criminal distracting attention from more central concerns linked to capitalism, psychological wellbeing, and healthcare.
3. National sovereignty issues and global perspective
II. Theoretical Discussion
… healthcare.
3. National sovereignty issues and global perspective
II. Theoretical Discussion
A. Race, class, power perspectives
B. Government, public policy, global affairs
C. criminal, justice
D. Other sociological issues
1. Organized crime and terrorism
2. White collar crime (tobacco and pharmaceutical industries)
III. Literature Review
A. Balancing public … illogical and empirically proven to be an illegitimate and ineffective strategy.
C. Drugs have been branded and arbitrarily classified as “socially acceptable” versus “criminal,” when drugs themselves are simply tools and can be considered useful.
D. Drug abuse is not a criminal issue.
Introduction
People like drugs. Drugs derived from plants, from……
References
References
ACLU (2020). Against drug prohibition. Retrieved from: https://www.aclu.org/other/against-drug-prohibition
“America is At War,” (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/paradox/htele.html
Bambauer, J. Y. (2012). How the war on drugs distorts privacy law. Stanford Law Review 62(2012). Retrieved from: https://www.stanfordlawreview.org/online/how-the-war-on-drugs-distorts-privacy-law/
Benson, B.L., Kim., I., Rasmussen, D.W., et al. (1992, 2006). Is property crime caused by drug use or by drug enforcement policy? Applied Economics 24(7): 679-692.
Best, D., Irving, J. & Albertson, K. (2016). Recovery and desistance: what the emerging recovery movement in the alcohol and drug area can learn from models of desistance from offending. Addiction Research & Theory 25(1): 1-10.
Coomber, R., Moyle, L., Belackova, V., et al. (2018). The burgeoning recognition and accommodation of the social supply of drugs in international criminal justice systems: An eleven-nation comparative overview. International Journal of Drug Policy 58(2018): 98-103.
Coyne, C.J. & Hall, A. R. (2017). Four decades and counting. CATO Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/four-decades-counting-continued-failure-war-drugs
Farabee, D., Prendergast, M. & Anglin, M.D. (1998). The effectiveness of coerced treatment for drug-abusing offenders. 62 Fed. Probation 3 (1998).
Study Document
Criminology Theory
Criminology Theory
Answer A:
The documentary showed how the criminal justice system biased towards the whites while having a huge number of African-American imprisoned. This documentary revolves around the racial justice that happens within the criminal justice system, incarcerating many African-Americans on petty crimes, filling most of the prisons with them. This is shown as just an extension of slavery, which … of slavery, which was abolished in the 13th amendment. However, this amendment has a loophole as no Americans can be slaved except for criminal, which was excessively exploited by the whites to get them to labor on small crimes. The perspective that Blacks are criminal was ingrained within the society through movies, which gave birth to public lynching and hanging of African-Americans based on the idea of them … ingrained within the society through movies, which gave birth to public lynching and hanging of African-Americans based on……
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