Running Head: Criminal Justice System

Running Head Criminal Justice System

Research Questions High incarceration rates are my research issue in criminal justice. Criminal justice comprises law enforcement agencies that include police, courts, and correctional services. Each of these parties has delegated roles to play in ensuring that citizens adhere to the law; they are protected, offenders are arrested, and prevent the possibility of people engaging in crimes (Telep, 2016). The criminal justice system has established processes that are established by the governments that control crime and enforce penalties on the people who violate the law. Therefore researching it engages in facilitating more thoughts and insights into the sector by enhancing more education into criminal justice studies.

There is the use of empirical research methods that are being used in determining the phenomena that affect the criminologists. The study furthers the criminal justice studies with both qualitative and quantitative research in evaluating the issues facing the sector. The education for the criminal justice parties interests me as I would like to understand the training offered to the people in the sector. The knowledge, they are provided within ensuring that they delegate their duties effectively and with great professionalism (Annie, 2020). The sector carries a large number of people who are crucial in ensuring that the laws provided by the Constitution are adhered to by citizens.

There is a need for criminal justice to be improved to facilitate more insights on getting better methods for enhancing law adherence. Another concept that relates to my issue of high rates of imprisonment is ethical practices in the sector. Law enforcers need to portray integrity and honesty in delivering their obligations to ensure that the conviction process does not favor particular individuals. The law enforcers' integral values need to be examined to ensure that people who are alleged to have broken the law are brought to justice through clear and concrete evidence (Heaton and Tong, 2016). The law enforcers should not engage in unlawful activities that cover up crimes for influential people in the society in the event of breaking the law.

Ethics should facilitate the conduct of the criminal justice system in reducing imprisonment rates. The issue of substance abuse that has increased in correctional facilities pose a major threat to the obligation of criminal justice protecting the public. This issue relates to the increase in conviction rates as the correctional facilities have failed to restrict the use of illegal drugs. The cases of heroin use in prisons may be a factor to consider in evaluating the increase in rates of conviction (Tilley and Laycock, 2018). The criminal justice system need to facilitate avenues that can be used to reduce the rates and come up with accurate research for interviewing and assessing the correctional facilities to ensure compliance with the law.

Policy-making in criminal justice is another concept that relates to the research interest. The making of policies determines the ability of criminal justice to exercise its duties according to the law. The absence of strong policies that govern criminal justice hinders effective carrying out of operations of the sector. This compromises the issues related to justice delivery as the major elements lack the mandate and resources that can facilitate the achievement of justice (Bowers et al. 2017).

The increase in high incarceration rates may be founded on the inadequacy of relevant policies set for the department to practice justice. When there are weak policies, criminal justice is weak and unable to exercise their jurisdiction effectively. Criminal justice should incorporate the use of people who had been convicted and later released to help prevent crime. The police can benefit from the narrations by the parties to note the various ways in which crimes occur (Chapman, 2016). The police can use the narratives to influence the people towards adhering to the laws as they will have the idea of the consequences of breaking the law.

The concept relates to the incarceration rate as it facilitates criminal justice with knowledge of methods of gathering data that is useful in crime prevention. The police are able to get knowledge of the information that underlies criminal activities that they did not have knowledge about. I would develop these research questions to help focus on a high incarceration rate, which is my topic. What do you think are the major drives that are responsible for the high conviction rates in the country and on global grounds? What comes to mind when you hear high incarceration rates in the country and globally?

Is the criminal justice system to blame for the high incarceration rates in the country? From your answer, why do you think so? What do you think or propose the criminal justice should do to prevent crime and foster adherence of the law? If I was to do a literature review, I would choose my topic, which is a high incarceration rate. I would engage in evaluating the available reviews on the topic.

I would strategically isolate the variables that I find most appealing and important to the topic. I would derive the major challenges that have been recorded in the past using data from my country and from other countries to increase my scope of knowledge. Then I would generate a conceptual framework. The open-ended questions that I would ask the willing participants in the project would help me gather more information about the topic. I would develop these open-ended questions for the participants.

What is criminal justice in your view? How has criminal justice increased the crime rates in your locality? What do you think can be done to improve the criminal justice system? Who do you think is to blame for high incarceration rates, and what reasons do you have for your answer? How credible do you think criminal justice is in preventing crime rates?

What aspects would you introduce into the criminal justice system to ensure that it functions with integrity and honesty? What do you think are the barriers to effective exercising of duties of criminal justice? What do you think of using ex-offender narratives by police to prevent crime? What changes would you suggest to reduce the incarceration rate?

Paper For Above instruction

High incarceration rates remain a pressing challenge within the criminal justice system worldwide. Understanding the multifaceted factors that contribute to elevated imprisonment figures is crucial for developing effective policies aimed at reducing incarceration while ensuring justice is served fairly and efficiently. This paper explores the major drivers of high incarceration rates, examines the role of policy and ethics, evaluates the impact of substance abuse and criminal justice training, and proposes measures to improve the effectiveness and integrity of the justice system.

One primary driver of high incarceration rates is the strictness of laws and sentencing policies. In many jurisdictions, mandatory minimum sentences have been implemented to deter crime, but these often lead to longer prison terms and higher incarceration figures (Mauer, 2011). Countries with harsh sentencing laws tend to have higher prison populations, suggesting a direct correlation between punitive policies and incarceration rates (Carson, 2018). Moreover, the influence of political agendas and public opinion pressure often lead policymakers to enact tough-on-crime laws that may not always be grounded in evidence-based practices. Consequently, such policies can inadvertently contribute to overcrowding and strained correctional facilities.

Policy inadequacies are also significant contributors. Weak or poorly formulated policies hinder the criminal justice system's ability to balance punishment with rehabilitation. For example, lack of community-based sentencing alternatives, such as probation or diversion programs, results in more offenders receiving custodial sentences (Petersilia, 2011). Additionally, discretionary sentencing practices may lead to inconsistent outcomes, expanding disparities and increasing incarceration rates among marginalized populations (Piquero & Hood, 2019). Strengthening policies that promote alternatives to incarceration and focus on rehabilitation can substantially reduce prison populations.

Ethics and integrity within the criminal justice system are critical for maintaining public trust and ensuring fair treatment. Law enforcement officers and officials must adhere to principles of honesty, transparency, and impartiality (Heaton & Tong, 2016). Ethical misconduct, such as wrongful convictions or cover-ups, undermines legitimacy and can perpetuate systemic inequalities. Incorporating ethical training and accountability measures can foster a justice environment where decisions are made based on concrete evidence, reducing wrongful incarcerations and subsequent recidivism.

Substance abuse is a notable factor influencing incarceration rates, especially with the increasing prevalence of drug-related offenses. Many individuals incarcerated for drug possession or trafficking are suffering from addiction issues that require treatment rather than punishment (Tilley & Laycock, 2018). Failure to address underlying substance abuse issues leads to high reoffending rates, thereby enlarging the prison population. Incorporating specialized drug courts, treatment programs within correctional facilities, and community-based rehabilitation efforts can significantly mitigate this problem.

Furthermore, the quality of criminal justice training impacts the ability of law enforcement and judicial personnel to carry out their duties effectively and ethically. Training that emphasizes evidence-based practices, cultural competence, and de-escalation techniques can improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary incarcerations (Annie, 2020). Proper training ensures officers are equipped to handle cases with professionalism, which correlates with fairer trials and just sentencing.

In addressing the high incarceration rates, policy reforms should prioritize reducing reliance on incarceration for non-violent offenses. Emphasizing restorative justice, community service, and diversion programs can help address root causes of offending behavior without overwhelming the prison system. Additionally, promoting the integration of ex-offenders through employment and social reintegration efforts can decrease recidivism, breaking the cycle of incarceration (Bowers et al., 2017).

Public education campaigns and open dialogues involving former offenders can serve as valuable tools for crime prevention. Sharing narratives of rehabilitation and emphasizing the importance of lawful behavior can influence community attitudes and deter potential offenders (Chapman, 2016). Moreover, leveraging data analytics and evidence-based practices can guide policymakers in crafting targeted interventions, ultimately reducing the likelihood of over-incarceration.

In conclusion, tackling the issue of high incarceration rates requires a holistic approach centered on reforming sentencing laws, strengthening policies, promoting ethical conduct, and investing in education and community-based programs. Addressing underlying issues such as substance abuse and social inequality, while fostering transparency and integrity within the criminal justice system, is vital to creating a fairer, more effective justice framework that reduces unnecessary detention and promotes societal well-being.

References

• Carson, E. A. (2018). Prisoners in 2018. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/p18.pdf
• Heaton, R., & Tong, S. (2016). Evidence-based policing: From effectiveness to cost-effectiveness. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 10(1), 60-70.
• Mauer, M. (2011). The changing Racial Dynamics of the War on Drugs. The Sentencing Project. https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/the-changing-racial-dynamics-of-the-war-on-drugs/
• Petersilia, J. (2011). Reforming sentencing: Can we get it right? Criminology & Public Policy, 10(4), 887-890.
• Piquero, A. R., & Hood, K. (2019). Exploring disparities in sentencing and incarceration. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 58(3), 177–193.
• Telep, C. W. (2016). Expanding the scope of evidence-based policing. Criminology & Public Policy, 15(2), 243-262.
• Tilley, N., & Laycock, G. (2018). Developing a knowledge base for crime prevention: Lessons learned from the British experience. Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 20(4), 299-315. doi:10.1057/s41300-018-0093-x
• Annie, S. (2020). The purpose of learning research in criminal justice. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 31(1), 45-61.
• Bowers, K., Tompson, L., Sidebottom, A., Bullock, K., & Johnson, S. D. (2017). Reviewing evidence for evidence-based policing. In Advances in Evidence-Based Policing (pp. 98-116). Routledge.
• Chapman, B. (2016). Research on the impact of technology on policing strategy in the 21st century. Evidence-Based Policing Review. https://www.policefoundation.org/publications/research-impact-technology-policing/