Criminal Justice

Paper Summary:

The paper proposes the perfect criminal justice system, one that focuses on networking and collaboration among policing agencies, communities, legal representatives and those accused of or prosecuted for criminal activity. The paper states that the perfect criminal justice system will also concentrate on rehabilitative measures for criminals incarcerated younger than age 40, as research suggests that individuals receiving counseling are less likely to become repeat offenders than those who are simply punished and then released. The paper concludes that the perfect system is not a system that focuses on hostility or punishment for non-malevolent crimes; rather one where communities actively collaborate with legal authorities to build better communities and social networks.

Outline:
Introduction
The System Theory
Reform and Community Collaboration in the Perfect System
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The perfect criminal justice system begins with theory. The theories underlying the perfect system should rely on positive reinforcement and authentic repentance and reform among criminals (Goold, 2004). This system is modeled somewhat after the idealized Japanese policy system, where the policeman encourages during the initial point of contact, or interrogation, the offender to fell "tearful relief" as like "a child when confession of wrongdoing to his parents results in a gentle laugh and warm hug" (Goold, 2004, p.14). Typically the American criminal justice system has focused on retaliation and retribution; this opposes the system introduced here, where policemen should focus on being known for warm, supportive yet just and effective care, not simple strictness (Johnson, 2003) which is more likely to lead to less reform and increasing crime."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Law and Legal Information. (n.d.). Criminal justice system, structural and theoretical components of criminal justice systems, the systems of operation, the importance of viewing criminal justice as a system. American Law and Legal Information. Crime and Justice Volume 1. Accessed 22, May, 2007: http://law.jrank.org/pages/858/Criminal-Justice-System.html
• Bouza, A.V. (1990). The police mystique: An insider's look at cops, crime, and the criminal justice system. Cambridge: Perseus Books.
• Farber, O. (2006, Jun). Positive SPIN on liaisons: Find out how the security police information network (SPIN) promotes public-private information sharing. Security Management, 50(6): 110.
• Goold, B. (2004). Idealizing the other? Western images of the Japanese criminal justice system. Criminal Justice Ethics, 23(2): 14+
• Johnson, D.T. (2003). Above the law? Police integrity in Japan, Social Science Japan Journal, 6(1): 29.

More papers on Criminal Justice:

• Term Paper # 122064 : "Comparative Criminal Justice vs. International Criminal Justice"
• Analytical Essay # 145075 : "The Construction of Criminal Justice Organizations"
• Research Paper # 69559 : "Criminal Justice System in Argentina"

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