Pick one aspect of the criminal justice system that was discussed in the lesson and readings: policing, courts, or corrections. Discuss one deficiency within your chosen area and how you would improve that deficiency. Why did you choose this particular deficiency?
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTION THEN REPLY TO MY CLASSMATES RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS EACH)
CLASSMATES POST
One aspect of the criminal justice system that resonated with me is corrections. The system was designed to simply take those that commit crimes and incarcerate them, so they are unable to continue to commit further crimes. The victims of certain crimes are given a sense of justice knowing that their offender is not only imprisoned but that a form of punishment was imposed. Additionally, the system is intended to provide some sort of rehabilitation while the person is imprisoned so that once released the chances of committed such acts again are avoided. The deficiency is that this is much more complicated than the evolution of a crime committed, sentenced for such crime, serve punishment, and release back to society as a law-abiding citizen (not including murder, rape, crimes against children, etc.). With increased populations across the globe crime rates have actually gone down, however, incarceration has gone up. In the US as an example crime rates have gone down consistently since 1990, but the prison population remains huge and continues to grow, as we have also seen evidence for a global crime drop despite overall global imprisonment rising (Pakes, 2019). Another deficiency with overpopulated prisons it significantly reduces the amount of rehabilitation an inmate may receive. My profession over the years has exposed me to many prison systems throughout this country and a constant trend is offenders serve time and shortly after release are back serving for similar offenses. In my opinion the problem is with the policing and sentencing. There needs to be changes in legislation on what crimes warrant incarceration. The court systems are inundated with minor crimes or infractions that bog the system; therefore, it is easier to plea bargain to include incarcerate. Sentence reform could possibly slow the rate of incarceration.
The shift has been a slow burn over the years whereas legislation, policing, and the overall public opinion has changed. The expansion of prisons throughout this country creates a financial need to ensure these prisons are filled with inmates, correctional officers, administrative staff, and many more to keep the daily operations functioning. I grew up in a small area in upstate New York where over the last two decades there have been three maximum prisons build which not only holds at any time 15K prisoners but employees over 1800 correctional officers (many of my family and friends). My point being there are incentives to keep this criminal justice system operational.
Pakes, F. J. (2019). Comparative criminal justice. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
