Criminal justice policies

Given the violence in society, criminal justice measures are crucial. As academics evaluate and analyze crimes, criminal justice policy research is added. Following the analyses, the researchers offer crime-reduction ideas, which, once approved, become policy. The fact that this study exists makes it possible to use it as a resource when making judgments about criminal justice. When utilized as a reference, the study reveals obscure details about a crime that could be used to inform legislation. The discussion that follows examines the function that research performs in order to highlight the significance of research to policy creation. Purposes and types of policies within the field of criminal justice

Criminal justice policy research is incorporated into criminal justice as researchers analyze and assess crimes. After the analyses, the researchers then provide strategies for crime reduction, which translate to policies after approval. Presence of this research is necessary because it allows for a reference when development criminal justice decisions. When used as a reference, the study unearths hidden facts related to a crime that may be used in policymaking. The following is a discussion showing the importance of research to policy development by looking at the role research plays.

Purposes and types of policies within the field of criminal justice. Criminal justice policies serve different functions in the area. First off, these systems control social dysfunctions that inhibit social stability, thereby leading to crime (Garrison, 2009). There are several causes of social malfunctions including poverty, lack of a viable economy, political instability and lack of proper education among others. Criminal justice policies provide strategies to counter these dysfunctions, thereby providing a fully functioning society. Furthermore, the plans offer a clear distinction of powers of the stakeholders in criminal justice (Garrison, 2009). Through identification of the different controls each holds, the stakeholders can work harmoniously to make decisions regarding criminal justice. This purpose also promotes accountability and ethics on the part of the stakeholders, to ensure that criminal truth is in the interest of all parties involved. On the other hand, the policies promote Credibility and compliance which are primary elements in decision making. Moreover, systems serve as guidelines for departments entrusted with criminal justice. The instructions enhance operability thereby increasing productivity in crime reduction.

There exist different types of policies in criminal justice. Among these are crime reduction policies (Garrison, 2009). Each state and federal system boasts of criminal justice policing agencies that are tasked with the creation of criminal justice policies. As it is, the purpose of criminal justice policies is to reduce crime. Through the understanding of the underlying factors that cause crime, ranging from psychological to psychosocial factors among others, the agencies can formulate and make decisions on policies that would touch on the elements to reduce the rates of crime.

Another set of policies are the incarceration policies, which touch on the use and severity of prison sentencing (Vigne & Samuels, 2012). The Bureau of Prisons has recorded high levels of population in prisons, which in turn cost the taxpayers a lot of money in maintaining. These policies, therefore, aim to curb the population growth in prisons by providing alternative interventions for offenders of petty crimes. This move not only manages the prison population but also reduces the costs incurred in maintaining the prisoners in prison.

The relationship between research and policy development. Research plays a supportive role in policy development such that it supports policy decision making (Garrison, 2009). Vast knowledge gathered through the information gathering process provides relevant background information on various crimes. Understanding the problem leads to practical solutions that translate into policies, which have previously been proven to work to reduce the severity of the problem. However, before decisions are made based on the research available, clear and concise conclusions are necessary to ensure that all other possible options have been exhausted and the proposed one has proven to be effective. Decisions made in individual studies avoid the moral dilemma involved in policymaking.

Additionally, research identifies failed policies and the reasons for their failure, so that they may be replaced with more efficient ones (Andrews & Bonta, 2010). Failed policies cause negative consequences especially when it comes to punishment and correcting offenders. Most get-tough systems have been seen to increase recidivism because of their focus on the mode of punishment, instead of the individual being punished. In such cases, the psychological characteristics of an offender should be identified to develop a suitable method of correction. Research, therefore, delves into the mental issues that lead to criminal offenses and after that, device interventions that would deal with the psychological aspects rather than just the physical. In so doing, chances of recidivism by such a criminal are reduced because of the eradication of the core problem.

How research influences policymakers by informing their policy decisions. Criminal justice policies are politically changed such that they need to be phrased politically and gain political approval, mainly because the significant stakeholders in criminal justice have political interests (Garrison, 2009). Research, therefore, delves into political, ideological interests, and influences them using credible academic findings. In as much as the policies are under the political influence, the researcher should demonstrate credibility and political unbias when presenting their research that affects policymaking. A researcher considers all political aspects surrounding a criminal justice issue, including political timing, and comes up with relevant conclusions. These conclusions guide criminal justice policy agencies in making policies that would stand the test of time and gain legislative approval.

More so, research takes into consideration the role of the media in criminal justice policy development (Garrison, 2009). The media plays an advisory role in criminal justice policy by unearthing underlying facts on criminals that may have otherwise been overlooked by criminal investigators. These events include the criminal’s emotional state and personal aspects among others. Researchers use this information to look into the nature of offenders presenting the mentioned factors, thereby developing policies that deal with the exact problems.

Examples of policies developed in the past ten years that resulted from research within the field of criminal justice. Several strategies exist as a result of research in this area. Among them is a policy adopted by several states to control the population of prisons (Vigne & Samuels, 2012). These systems have called for the revising of sentencing laws to include community corrections. First-time offenders are subject to community corrections, which have been proved to reduce recidivism rates. Community corrections have led to the improvement of correctional practices as well as their supervision. Such enhancements ensure that offenders are corrected, and at the same time, community security is enhanced. This policy also affects the population in prisons by reducing overpopulation, which in turn improves the health of inmates.

Another policy is the application of the multisystemic therapy as a correctional therapy for juvenile offenders (Henggeler & Schoenwald, 2011). This treatment which is community and family based is founded on the fact that offenders are determined by multiple factors in their environment that are either direct or indirect. The diversion of juvenile offenders to community services decreases criminal behavior as compared to juvenile court processing (Henggeler & Schoenwald, 2011). This policy reduces recidivism among juvenile offenders and is, therefore, an effective policy.

In conclusion, criminal justice policy is necessary for the reduction of crime. Crime reduction and incarceration policies exist to control social dysfunction. Research influences policy development in decision making as well as identifying failed policies. Research influences policymakers in making policy decisions by the use of political considerations and the media in recognizing the state of criminals. Several systems have been created as a result of research including controlling prison populations through community correction and the implementation of the multisystemic therapy in reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders. Research is, therefore, a key component in criminal justice research policies.

References

Andrews, D., & Bonta, J. (2010). Rehabilitating criminal justice policy and practice. Psychology, Public Policy, And Law, 16(1), 39-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0018362

Garrison, A. (2009). The Influence of Research on Criminal Justice Policy Making. Professional Issues in Criminal Justice, 4(1).

Henggeler, S., & Schoenwald, S. (2011). Evidence-Based Interventions for Juvenile Offenders and Juvenile Justice Policies that Support Them. Society for Research in Child Development, 25(1).

Vigne, N., & Samuels, J. (2012). The Growth & Increasing Cost of the Federal Prison System: Drivers and Potential Solutions. Urban Institute.