In lesson 5, we discussed contemporary reform efforts which may address various areas including law, policing, the court, and/or sanctions. You’ve had a chance to review some examples of reform efforts, and in this assignment, you will explore one contemporary reform that is related to the crime type you have selected to focus on in this course.
Instructions
In this assignment, you will first conduct a library search to identify one scholarly source discussing a contemporary reform effort related to your selected crime type. Then you will complete a table, found in the resources for lesson 5, which will:
Identify at least one contemporary reform of law, policing, the court process, and/or sanctions that are relevant to the crime type you have selected to focus on in this course.
Describe how the reform effort has changed law, policy, and/or practice.
Identify any ways in which the theory you have selected to focus on in this course aligns with the contemporary reform.
Identify any ways in which the theory you have selected to focus on in this course does not align with the contemporary reform.
Provide your educated opinion of the possible impact the contemporary reform may have on victims, which may include psychological (e.g., trauma), social (e.g., impaired relationships), and/or behavioral (e.g., avoidance). TIP: You may want to review your lesson 3 assignment to guide your opinion.
Provide your educated opinion of the possible impact the contemporary reform may have on offenders, which may include psychological (e.g., suicide), social (e.g., employment), or behavioral (e.g., recidivism) outcomes.
TIP: You may find it helpful to review your lesson 4 assignment to guide your opinion.
Length: One completed table
References: Include a minimum of 1 scholarly reference
The completed assignment should address all assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources, reflect academic expectations and current APA standards, and adhere to the Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Resources to Use:
Mental Health Courts: Expanding the Model in an era of Criminal Justice Reform
Black, C. (2020). Mental health courts: Expanding the model in an era of criminal justice reform. Washington University Journal of Law & Policy, 63, 299 – 323.
Black (2020) discusses one criminal justice reform – mental health courts. They also suggest ways in which this reform can be improved upon to lead to better outcomes.
Indictments, Grand Juries, and Criminal Justice Reform
Rosenberg, B. E. (2020). Indictments, grand juries, and criminal justice reform. American Journal of Criminal Law, 48(1), 81–135.
Rosenberg (2020) discusses another area in which reform may be implemented. They suggest the ways in which indictments and grand juries may be better used to lead to improved criminal justice outcomes.
Drug Decriminalization, Addiction, and Mass Incarceration: A Theories of Punishment fFamework forEending the “War on Drugs.”
Drug decriminalization, addiction, and mass incarceration: A theories of punishment framework for ending the “War on Drugs.” Northern Kentucky Law Review, 48(2), 267–308.
Scott (2021) discusses a theoretically-driven approach to reforms that address the criminalization of substance use (i.e., considering substance use a crime). They suggest that reform must move beyond simple decriminalization to more effectively reduce mass incarceration and substance use disorders.
