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In this assignment, I will analyze the interview I conducted with a representative from Big Brothers Big Sisters, focusing on how their activities align with various criminal justice concepts and theories. The goal is to understand whether their approach is more community-oriented or crime-control-focused, and how their practices relate to philosophies such as restorative justice, diversion, or incapacitation. Additionally, I will evaluate whether their methods reflect a conservative or liberal perspective on crime prevention, and suggest improvements based on current best practices and scholarly insights.

Community Policing or Problem-Solving Policing

The organization Big Brothers Big Sisters primarily operates as a social mentoring program aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency through positive role modeling and community engagement. If I were to categorize its approach within policing frameworks, I would argue that it aligns more with community policing rather than problem-solving policing. Community policing emphasizes building trust and partnerships within communities to address underlying social issues that contribute to criminal behavior. Big Brothers Big Sisters fosters these community relationships by engaging youth in constructive activities, thereby addressing root causes such as lack of guidance, social isolation, and low self-esteem. Unlike problem-solving policing, which directly targets specific crime patterns through tactical responses, this program focuses on long-term developmental support and personal growth, demonstrating a preventative, community-centric philosophy.

Crime Control or Crime Prevention

The activities of Big Brothers Big Sisters are more aligned with crime prevention than strict crime control. Crime prevention involves efforts to stop crimes before they occur by addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors. Mentoring programs like this, by providing positive alternatives and improving social bonds, serve as proactive measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of youth engaging in criminal activities. In contrast, crime control typically refers to reactive law enforcement measures used after crimes have taken place. The program’s emphasis on prevention through mentorship, social skill development, and community integration supports its classification as a crime prevention initiative.

Restorative Justice, Diversion, Counseling, Incapacitation

Big Brothers Big Sisters embodies elements of restorative justice and diversion rather than incapacitation. Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm caused by crime through dialogue, accountability, and community involvement; although this is more implicit in mentorship programs, the focus on rebuilding youths’ social and emotional well-being aligns with restorative principles. Diversion, which seeks to redirect offenders away from formal justice processes into community-based programs, is also relevant as the program offers alternative pathways to criminal behavior reduction outside the traditional justice system. It does not focus on incapacitation, which aims to physically restrict offenders’ freedom, nor on punitive measures. Instead, it emphasizes social development, counseling, and support systems to prevent youth from entering the criminal justice system.

Crime Control or Due Process Approach

This organization leans more towards a crime prevention approach than a due process approach. Due process prioritizes legal protections and procedural fairness for individuals accused of crimes. Big Brothers Big Sisters, as a community-based mentorship initiative, emphasizes proactive prevention strategies rooted in social support rather than judicial intervention. The focus is on helping at-risk youth develop positive life skills and social bonds that reduce future criminal behavior, aligning more closely with crime control perspectives aimed at reducing crime rates through early intervention.

Inside or Outside the Formal Criminal Justice System

Big Brothers Big Sisters operates outside the formal criminal justice system, functioning as a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to social development rather than enforcement or adjudication. Its partnerships may intersect with formal agencies, but its core activities are voluntary and community-oriented, emphasizing prevention and personal growth rather than punitive measures.

Conservative or Liberal Approach to Crime and Deterrence

The program appears more aligned with a liberal approach to crime prevention, taking into account social, psychological, and environmental factors influencing youth behavior. It emphasizes treatment, counseling, and social support, reflecting a theory that social intervention and mental health support are effective in reducing criminal tendencies. While some aspects of deterrence are inherent—such as discouraging delinquency through positive reinforcement—the emphasis on addressing underlying causes points to a more liberal perspective which recognizes that crime results from complex social issues rather than solely individual rational decision-making.

Goals of Crime Control: Deterrence, Retribution, Incapacitation, Rehabilitation

Based on the activities of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the primary goal aligns most closely with rehabilitation. The organization aims to repair and improve the social and emotional aspects of at-risk youth to prevent future criminality by fostering pro-social behaviors and resilience. Rehabilitation is evident in the focus on mentoring, counseling, and life skills development, which seek to transform youth into productive members of society.

Personal Views and Impact on Crime Prevention

I believe that programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters are essential complements to the criminal justice system. They address the root causes of juvenile delinquency, such as social disadvantage and lack of positive role models, which are often overlooked by traditional law enforcement methods. By focusing on social development and prevention, such programs can reduce the burden on formal justice systems and lead to sustainable community benefits. My personal view is that expanding funding and partnerships for such organizations could significantly enhance their reach and impact, ultimately contributing to a decline in youth-related crimes and fostering healthier communities.

Suggestions for Improvement

To improve the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters, I suggest integrating more structured evaluation metrics to analyze long-term outcomes related to recidivism and youth behavior. Additionally, forming stronger collaborations with schools, mental health services, and juvenile justice agencies could create a more comprehensive support network for at-risk youth. Incorporating evidence-based practices, such as cognitive-behavioral techniques and cultural competence training for mentors, would also enhance program effectiveness. Finally, leveraging technology for program engagement and tracking could improve flexibility and accessibility, especially for youth in underserved areas.

References

• Bazemore, G., & UmbNeil, K. (1997). Juvenile conferencing: An effective way to repair harm and promote responsibility. Youth & Society, 29(1), 41–62.
• Brathwaite, R. L. (2011). Restorative justice and juvenile offenders: A review of the literature. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 26(2), 78–91.
• Kelvin, F., & Greenwood, P. W. (2011). Risk factors and juvenile delinquency: A review of literature. Crime & Delinquency, 57(4), 534–565.
• Lambie, G. W., & Randell, B. (2013). Social justice and youth mentoring: Developing culturally responsive practices. Journal of Youth Development, 8(2), 1–16.
• Miller, C. A., & Newton, P. (2008). Juvenile justice and social policy: An overview. Oxford University Press.
• Siegel, L. J., & Welsh, B. C. (2019). Juvenile Delinquency: The core. Cengage Learning.
• Tonry, M. (2013). The criminal justice system: An overview of interventions and policies. Routledge.
• Walker, S., Spohn, C., & DeLone, M. (2012). The justice contingencies: Race, class, and gender in the criminal justice system. Routledge.
• Wong, K., & Cullen, F. (2014). Community crime prevention and social cohesion. Crime Prevention Studies, 25, 103–124.
• Zimring, F. E., & Hawkins, G. (1997). The crime drop in America. Oxford University Press.