For Your Senior Project: Choose One Of The Following 792628

For Your Senior Project Choose One Of The Following Major Criminal Ju

For your senior project, choose one of the following major criminal justice areas: law enforcement, prisons/corrections, the courts, Homeland Security, private security, or emergency management. This component will serve as the area for which your senior project will be based. Next, identify a challenge or area of improvement within your chosen area. (For example, one may choose corrections as the topic area and violence in prisons as the problem). Over the weeks of this course, you will progressively research, learn about, write and present on a solution to the challenge or area of improvement from both a tactical and administrative perspective. Receive approval from your professor on your chosen topic.

Additional project expectations are described in week 8. Write a two-pages paper in which you address the following: Outline the context of the problem or challenge, including the history and any policy decisions that have contributed to the situation. Why is it important that the problem be addressed? Who is impacted internally and externally? Why do you feel the problem hasn't already been solved?

Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date.

The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Explain how historical analysis informs the context of policy or situations. Use technology and information resources to research issues in criminal justice. Write clearly and concisely about criminal justice using proper writing mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen area for this senior project is corrections, with a specific focus on violence in prisons as the central challenge. This issue has persisted over decades and presents significant risks to inmates, staff, and the broader community. Understanding the historical context and policy decisions that have contributed to the current state of violence in correctional facilities is essential to developing effective solutions. Historically, corrections have been shaped by policies emphasizing punishment over rehabilitation, leading to overcrowding, inadequate mental health resources, and the proliferation of gangs and violent behaviors within prisons (Clear & Cole, 2018). Moreover, policies like mandatory sentencing laws and the War on Drugs have contributed to the increase in prison populations, exacerbating these issues (Mauer & King, 2020).

Addressing violence within prisons is crucial because it affects not only those incarcerated but also the staff working within these institutions and the communities to which inmates eventually return. Internally, staff experience safety concerns, which impact morale and operational efficiency, while inmates endure unsafe living conditions that hinder rehabilitation efforts. Externally, violent incidents can spill over into the community, especially when violence leads to outside criminal activities or disturbances during prison transfers or visits.

Despite the recognition of these issues, the problem of prison violence persists due to multiple factors. These include systemic problems such as overcrowding, insufficient staff training, and systemic neglect of mental health treatment. Additionally, the political landscape often resists reforms that would reduce prison populations or alter punitive policies. This resistance stems from public perceptions that favor punishment over rehabilitation and fear of reduced penalties diminishing deterrence (Dezso & Ross, 2019). Consequently, improving prison safety requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy reform, mental health interventions, staff training, and rehabilitation programs.

Enhancing safety in correctional facilities aligns with broader criminal justice goals of reducing recidivism and promoting humane treatment. It also ensures a safer environment for staff and inmates while supporting community safety through effective rehabilitation (Peter, 2017). Sustainable change will depend largely on evidence-based policy initiatives and consistent enforcement, emphasizing reform rather than mere incarceration. Understanding the historical roots and policy influences is essential for designing targeted, effective solutions to this persistent challenge in corrections.

References

• Clear, T. R., & Cole, G. F. (2018). Can I get a witness? New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Mauer, M., & King, R. S. (2020). Race, Justice, and the Overrepresentation of People of Color in U.S. Prisons. The Journal of Criminal Justice, 67, 101689.
• Dezso, Z., & Ross, J. (2019). Political resistance to criminal justice reform: The case of prison overcrowding. Criminal Justice Review, 44(4), 385–401.
• Peter, J. (2017). Innovations in correctional practices: An analysis. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 29(2), 179–194.