Additionally, does our current criminal justice system operate in congruence with one, both, or none of Mr. Packers models an

Quiz 1

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Institution

Question one

Mr. Packer articulates two models of the justice process. Compare and contrast both models. Additionally, does our current criminal justice system operate in congruence with one, both, or none of Mr. Packer’s models? Why? Thoroughly explain your answer. 

The two models of administering criminal justice as articulated by Mr. Packer are the due process model and crime control model. In comparison, both models call for the enforcement of laws during the administering of criminal justice, maintenance and control of order in the society, and protect people from injustice practices. On the other hand, the due process model and the crime control model differ in the following manner. The crime control model believes that anyone charged with a crime is guilty and must be punished for his or her actions. In general, the model aims at controlling the criminal behavior of people with an assumption that it is the most essential aspect of criminal justice. On the contrary, the due process model believes that any person charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. As opposed to the crime control model, the due process model calls for the freedom of a person charged with a criminal act unless their presence to the society is a threat. This model aims at protecting the innocent people while convicting the guilty (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

The current criminal justice operates using the Packer’s due process model. According to Cole & Gertz (2013), the American criminal justice aims at enforcing law and order in the society, and protecting citizens from injustices. In America, a person is innocent until proven guilty. When an individual is arrested or suspected of committing a crime, the law enforces carryout thorough investigation on the convict while he or she enjoys her freedom in the society. Only individual suspected or charged with serious crimes such as terrorism, serial murder, or drug trafficking are put behind bars while investigation are in progress.

Question four

 Choose 1 of the following topics: Community Rehabilitation Programs for Adults, Death Penalty, or Rehabilitation Programs in Jails and Prisons; and answer the following questions:

(The chosen topic is rehabilitation programs in jails and prisons)

Have the growth and investments (or lack thereof) in this area been needed?

The American federal government in collaboration with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) has put more efforts in the process of conducting rehabilitation programs in jails and prisons. In addition, the local law enforcement has joined hands in the effort to rehabilitate prisoners in order to minimize crime rates in the country. On the other hand, the hand, most jails and prisons are overpopulated calling for the government to introduce new methods of dealing with the ever-increasing number of prisoners in United States of America. The federal government should put aside some funds to carryout rehabilitation programs to avoid congestion in jails and prisons. Moreover, rehabilitation programs will assist in reducing crimes since convicts are educated on better ways of earning a living apart from committing crimes.

Do the policies rest on sound theoretical grounds?

Rehabilitation programs in jails and prisons have an adverse effect on the life of most criminals in the country. People with a sound mind manage and implement the policies put in place to guide these rehabilitation programs. U.S. has been building prisons since 1980s because of the increasing rate of incarceration. In the recent years, the federal government has defined new ways of dealing with law offenders, especially those whose crimes are not serious. According to Reddy and Levin (2013), implementation of rehabilitation programs increases a public safety and makes victims of crime less likely to repeat their crimes. On the other hand, the following alternative rests on sound and theoretical ground because the cost of retaining a person in prison is far much higher than the cost of implementing social programs.

Have they been well implemented?

Rehabilitation programs in American jails and prisons have been well implemented through the introduction of post-prisons programs. CDC has implemented two programs one aiming at educating drug addicts about substance abuse and recovery while the other program offers education to crime convicts by giving them better living ideas rather than committing crimes. In addition, the US government funds non-governmental organizations that are involved in rehabilitating individuals in order to give education to prisoners and help reduce prison populations.

Do they achieve expected outcomes?

Yes, these programs achieve the expected results where they are done effectively. According to Aborn et al (1999), the post-prison population program implemented in California delivered acceptable results during the first two years of operation. The program had over 3,500 participants and 80% of them recorded high performance rates. In addition, the US government has recorded a decrease in prison population since the introduction of rehabilitation programs.

Have the investments been allocated to the problems and policies where the greatest gain will accrue?

The only method of ending or minimizing a crime is through rehabilitating the offender. By investing on criminal rehabilitation programs, the government has used the best alternative that aims at producing greatest gains. Reddy and Levin (2013) argue that America spends $63 billion on rehabilitation programs because prisons and jails form the second fastest growing areas of the state budget from the medical sector. Moreover, analysis from criminologists indicates that the 30% drop in crime rate occurred because of America’s investment on prison rehabilitation programs.

Question five

This article argues that there has been a shift in the role of policing. How has the role of the police changed and is it a positive change? What more can be done?

The policing role has changed for the better of the country. Several innovations have taken place in the police department. Firstly, community policing has been introduced as a modern way of ensuring total police interaction with the community to aid minimize crimes at the community level. Some of police practices associated with the current policies include foot patrols and problem-oriented policing. Community policing has brought about positive changes because it encourages order maintenance, assists in perfect conflict resolutions in societies and provides services that aim at problem solving in the community level. Secondly, the police department has introduced broken window policing that assists in directing police to past problems that have been ignored. The following policy has changed the role of police by giving them a chance to investigate on crimes that might have contributed to some evil things happening in the society. This policy has assisted in delivering denied justice among people. In addition, the current police policies have put technology into practice where police must have the knowledge of current technology in order to fight crimes. These innovations have changed police roles from law enforcement into problem solving using the new policies (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

In order to ensure effectiveness of the police department in ensuring quality problem solving, the government should protect the rights of police to avoid harassment by the public. Laws should be introduced that ensures police have total protection from any kind of intimidation in order to ensure they conduct their services without fear or favor. In addition, the police department should be well prepared to meet the demands of homeland security to avoid instances of threats from outside especially terrorists. Moreover, the police role should evolve into a more effective and legitimate government institution (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

Question six

 What policy implications can be taken from the results of Maxwell and Fagan’s study? Make sure to back up your response.

The Maxwell and Fagan’s study represent a good example of a justice systems taking place in the current environment. The two conducted a study to evaluate the preventive impact of arrest on intimate partner violence. Their results indicated that arrests reduce the rates of a person committing a similar crime in the future. On the other hand, the study evaluates the impact of gang membership on later risks of personal involvement in crime. From the following study, the federal government should introduce new policies that define new methods of dealing with organized crimes and punishing people who commit a crime more than once. In addition, the study gives suggestion to the law enforcers on how to deal with certain types of crimes in respect to the person who commuted the crime, the sex, gender and the main agenda. Moreover, the study shows the need for the government to introduce policies aimed at introducing rehabilitation programs in prisons and jails to ease congestion. Some people are placed in prison for crimes that can be managed by rehabilitation centers. For example, drug abuse (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

Question seven

 Based on Article 9, what innovative steps can police departments take to reduce or eliminate corruption?

Corruption is one of the most serious issues that affect most government institutions today. Police department being ranked among the highest corrupt departments should device ways and means of fighting corruption to the end. Firstly, the police department should increase accountability and transparency. Lack of transparency and accountability form the main factors contributing to corruption. Accountability in the police department should be achieved by giving both internal and external pressure. The top officials should ensure all funds are accounted for and those found guilty of corruption prosecuted. Secondly, corruption in police department could be reduced by raising public awareness. The general public encourages corruption in the police department. Some of the initiatives that are essential for public awareness include education and awareness campaigns, annual workshops, and informing citizens of their rights and empower them to monitor the police through service delivery surveys (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

On the other hand, corruption in the police department could be eliminated by involving the National Integrity Unit in integrating reforms. The National Integrity Unit strengthens government offices by addressing integrity and economic reform issues. Involving this unit will assist in pointing out corrupt people in the department and taking the necessary measures towards them in order to caution any other person willing to carryout corrupt deals. In addition, the National Integrity Unit will educate people on the importance of leaving a corrupt free live and following the necessary protocol in acquiring justice (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

Question eight

What should be done at the local and federal level to deal with the current illegal immigration problems? Remember, you must back up and substantiate everything in the response. 

The local and federal governments have a big task fighting illegal immigration. This problem can be solved in the following ways. Firstly, the federal government should device ways of identifying all non-U.S. citizens working in the country biometrically. The government should device a nationwide biometric identification process for all visitors in order to determine those in the country illegally. In addition, employers willing to hire workers across the border should register them electronically in order to be accepted as a worker-visit eligible to work in the country. Secondly, the federal and local governments should put in place effective legal entry procedures. Immigration officers should offer the required waiting period for immigrants to allow law enforcers humble time to check and register incoming visitors. In addition, humble waiting period gives the police enough time to screen visitors and crosscheck against criminal and terrorist databases. Finally, the local government should give punishment to illegal immigrants to act as an example to others. Apart from deportation, illegal immigrants should be given other punishment measures such as spending some time in jail to learn a lesson (Cole & Gertz, 2013).

References

Aborn, J. et al. (1999). The California Prison and Rehabilitation System. Ethics of Development

in a Global Environment. Retrieved from:

http://www.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/citypoverty/california.htm Cole, G.F., & Gertz, M.G. (2013). The criminal justice system: Politics and policies. Belmont,

CA.: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

Reddy, V. P. and Levin, M. A. (2013). The Conservative Case Against more Prisons. Retrieved

March 6, 2013 from:

Http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-conservative-case-against-more-prisons/