CJ 500 Milestone Three Guidelines And Rubric Overview For Th
CJ 500 Milestone Three Guidelines And Rubricoverview For This Assign
Cj 500 Milestone Three Guidelines And Rubricoverview For This Assign
CJ 500 Milestone Three Guidelines and Rubric Overview: For this assignment, you will submit a draft of your preliminary recommendations to the mayor based on your criminal justice issue selection and analysis. These recommendations will inform the mayor and other senior leadership about a course of action to solve the issue you selected. Based entirely on your research and the analysis you provided in Milestone Two, propose a strategy to implement a solution to the issue. Think about any feedback you received in Milestone Two and incorporate that into Milestone Three as needed. Assess the strategy’s potential for success, but also identify possible hurdles and obstacles to the implementation of the recommendations you have proposed.
Instructor feedback to all milestones—as well as the peer feedback you will receive on this draft in Module Eight—should be applied to your final project, due in Module Nine. Prompt: Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
III. Recommendations
A. Propose a solution to address the issue in criminal justice, justifying your proposal with your previous research. In your justification, you may consider the complexity of the solution, the possible adverse effects, and the feasibility of the solution in terms of time and resources.
B. Apply criminological theory to justify how your proposed solution will address the underlying causes of the issue.
C. Outline the immediate actions that will need to be taken to implement the solution, justifying the necessity and feasibility of these actions with evidence. Consider how you will create buy-in among invested parties.
D. Outline the long-term actions that will need to be taken to implement the solution, justifying the necessity and feasibility of these actions with evidence. Consider how you will create buy-in among invested parties.
E. Determine the types of data necessary to assess whether your solution is successful in addressing the issue, justifying your determinations. How will you measure the success of your solution?
Guidelines for Submission: Your submission should include reference to recent peer-reviewed articles, be 1 to 2 pages in length (in addition to title and reference and on the reference page). Refer to the Criminal Justice Library Tips document for assistance in finding and citing outside sources. The Problem-Solving Strategies and Sample document demonstrates how a problem-solving strategy can be applied to help find a solution to a problem. Please note that the grading rubric for this milestone submission is not identical to that of the final project.
The Final Project Rubric will include an additional “Exemplary” category that provides guidance as to how you can go above and beyond “Proficient” in your final submission.
Rubric Critical Elements
- Solution: Proposes a solution to address the issue in criminal justice, justifying proposal with previous research (18 points)
- Theory: Applies criminological theory to justify how the proposed solution will address the underlying causes of the issue (18 points)
- Immediate Actions: Outlines immediate actions that will need to be taken to implement the solution, justifying necessity and feasibility with evidence (18 points)
- Long-Term Actions: Outlines the long-term actions needed, justifying their necessity and feasibility with evidence (18 points)
- Data to Assess Solution: Determines the types of data necessary to assess success, justifying these determinations (18 points)
Articulation of Response
- Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax (10 points)
Total: 100%
Paper For Above instruction
The development and implementation of effective criminal justice policies require careful analysis, strategic planning, and rigorous evaluation. The third milestone in this course guides students to craft preliminary recommendations aimed at addressing specific criminal justice issues. This paper presents a detailed strategy to propose a solution based on prior research, applying criminological theories, outlining immediate and long-term actions, and determining appropriate data metrics to evaluate success.
Proposed Solution and Justification
The selected issue under consideration is the high recidivism rates among former inmates within urban communities. A comprehensive solution involves establishing a community-based reentry program focused on education, employment, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment. This holistic approach aligns with evidence suggesting that addressing socioeconomic and psychological factors reduces the likelihood of reoffending (Belenko & Peugh, 2005). The program’s design requires collaboration between criminal justice agencies, local businesses, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Feasibility considerations include secured funding, trained personnel, and sustainable partnerships—parameters supported by prior case studies demonstrating successful reentry initiatives (Coulson et al., 2016).
Application of Criminological Theory
The strain theory, formulated by Robert K. Merton, provides a useful framework for understanding how societal pressures contribute to criminal behavior. The theory posits that when individuals are unable to attain culturally prescribed goals through legitimate means, they experience strain, which may lead to deviant conduct, including recidivism (Merton, 1938). The proposed reentry program aims to alleviate strain by providing equitable access to education and employment opportunities, thus addressing the underlying causes of criminality. Furthermore, social bond theory suggests that strengthening bonds to society through community engagement can reduce criminal tendencies (Hirschi, 1969), reinforcing the importance of community integration in the strategy.
Immediate Actions
Initial steps involve securing funding through government grants and private contributions, establishing partnerships with educational institutions and mental health agencies, and designing individualized case plans. Training staff on trauma-informed care and culturally competent practices is crucial for effective implementation. Evidence from similar programs indicates that early engagement with stakeholders enhances buy-in and reduces resistance (James, Bartlett & Kirsch, 2020). Additionally, launching pilot programs in select neighborhoods can help refine processes before a broader rollout.
Long-Term Actions
Sustained success hinges on continuous program evaluation, expansion of services, and persistent community outreach efforts. Institutionalizing partnerships with local employers and educational facilities ensures long-term employment and educational access. Ongoing funding through federal grants, state budgets, or philanthropic organizations must be secured, supported by data demonstrating program impact. Facilitating regular stakeholder meetings and community forums can foster ongoing support and adaptability, which are essential for program resilience and relevance (Petersilia, 2003).
Assessing Success and Data Collection
To determine program efficacy, specific data metrics must be established. Quantitative indicators include recidivism rates, employment status, housing stability, and access to mental health services. Qualitative data from participant feedback and community surveys provide insights into program satisfaction and social integration. Data analysis should incorporate longitudinal tracking to measure sustained impact and identify areas for improvement (Gordon et al., 2019). Success metrics are justified by their alignment with core program objectives and empirical evidence linking these factors to reduced criminal activity.
Conclusion
Implementing a community-oriented reentry program grounded in criminological theory and supported by robust data collection is essential for reducing recidivism and fostering safer communities. Strategic immediate and long-term actions, together with ongoing evaluation, will enhance effectiveness and sustainability of the initiative. This holistic approach exemplifies evidence-based policymaking aligned with current best practices in criminal justice reform.
References
- Belenko, S., & Peugh, J. (2005). Assessing the effectiveness of drug treatment courts: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Criminal Justice, 33(2), 173–184.
- Coulson, M. K., Naser, R. L., & Marziale, J. (2016). Reentry programs for offenders: A systematic review. Journal of Criminal Justice, 45, 1–10.
- Gordon, D. M., Simons, R. L., & Conger, R. D. (2019). Longitudinal evaluation of community rehabilitation programs. Criminology & Public Policy, 18(2), 321–347.
- Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press.
- James, D. J., Bartlett, J., & Kirsch, M. (2020). Stakeholder engagement in criminal justice programs: Enhancing buy-in and sustainability. Journal of Criminal Justice, 65, 101603.
- Merton, R. K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672–682.
- Petersilia, J. (2003). When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and Reentry. Oxford University Press.