Criminal justice systems and contemporary practices

CRIMINAL JUSTICE TODAY

Critical Analysis of the Literature Review

Important Discoveries or Insights Researchers Have Made About the Topic

The most important discoveries or insights that researchers have made for the selected topic are that there changes have been made to the criminal justice system for not only punishing the wrongdoers but to prevent crime in the future. The key results in the literature review were that the criminal justice system is more rehabilitative, addresses racial equity so that equal justice is served to all ethnic minorities, believing in evidence-based findings and integration of technology.

Various researchers have now pointed out that “new crimes” in current times are more advanced since the relationship between the offender and victim has changed (Matthews, 2020). The reason for saying so is that a new generation of offenders comes from a highly underprivileged class that does not have access to things they are deprived of but have the skills and are well-resourced. On the other hand, victims are spread all across the social spectrums and are easily accessible for the criminals. This situation has created new challenges for criminal justice in modern times.

Where the Researchers Agree or Disagree

The researchers agreed that with the use of an evidence-based justice system, the community must also be involved, and for that, the criminals should make an input themselves. For example, when it was mentioned that 50 to 80 percent of the men who were involved in drug crimes were also tested positive for drug usage themselves, the rehabilitation programs are conducted for such criminals within the prisons. Hence, the prisoners should cooperate and stop on their own when it comes to drug abuse. The researchers of evidence-based crime know that it is not only upon the criminal justice officials only to end crime, but the community itself should participate equally to eradicate crime in the future.

Further studies have verified that with the use of informal social controls and sanctions, crime prevention is possible at a greater level. They can be described as a shame, condemnation, corporate penalization, separation, criticism, and disapproval (Manaliyo & Muzindutsi, 2013). The research deducted that informal controls, such as isolation, are more effective in societies where there are strong relationships, and one cannot think of living alone. However, it was also noted that informal social controls might be weak in some situations for crime prevention.

Personal Opinion on the Issue and Why

My personal viewpoint on the issue is that new types of crimes have imposed greater dares on the criminal justice system since playing with the human psyche, especially that of a criminal, is very tricky. Theoretical explanations seem limited in their scope, but they are expanded over certain categories, such as ethnic groups or those who belong to extreme poverty-stricken areas in a certain state. New insights might come into the light. Fundamental intellect is in high demand for the understanding of new types of crimes so that the criminal justice system of today could be shaped accordingly. Additionally, a paradigm shift in the state of crimes has stirred up national and international special units so that state and non-state agencies could team up for better crime prevention. New forms of policing strategies are required for responding to new emerging crimes. With the increasing diversity in crimes, a new breed of offenders are being born who are equipped with flexible crime committing techniques.

Changes should be made, and are underway, for developing new modes of criminal governance to facilitate the capturing of new offenders. There are two major trends: diversion and downgrading (Ashworth & Zedner, 2008). Diversion involves the use of fixed punishments and the spread of precautionary orders; downgrading relates to a larger use of summary hearings and greater motivations to plead guilty. However, this should involve continuous monitoring and investigation. In today’s world of technology, this is possible with the help of new software and apps since cyber-crime is also on the rise.

Key Theories and Concepts Evaluated and Applied To Reach This Determination

Key theories and concepts evaluated and applied to reach this determination are based on criminology theory named “routine activities theory.” This theory suggests that the association of routine actions in society creates openings for crime (Argun & Daglar, 2016). It is linked to other criminology theories as well, such as rational choice. It is said because, with the help of rational choice, the decisions are made by the offenders about the criminal event that would take place and the controllers in a specific situation, like a person standing at the bus station. In addition to that, situational crime prevention helps in considering a rational choice perspective for manipulation of elements in the environment where the crime or the decision for a crime would take place. Shared activity spaces are the best areas for the offenders to commit a crime on their victims since they know their daily routine activities and how the criminal doings should be shaped accordingly.

Support for the Thesis, Why Reader Should Be Convinced About It

Most support for the thesis was found in the notion that new crimes are emerging, and the criminal justice system is modifying and has to be further modified to evolving new crimes. For that, new ideologies and new thought processes of the crime agency officials and integration of technology is mandatory. The reader should be convinced since there are new methods introduced each day on both sides, that is, on the criminal’s side and the justice officials’. Merely penalizing would not be enough unless the criminals are not convinced enough to deter criminal activities. For this, deterrence theories could be combined with novel ways of preventing crimes by the police and the judicial system.

Aspect That Challenged the Thesis

The aspect that challenged the thesis was invested in rational choice theory, which states that a person commits a crime when he outweighs the rewards of the criminal activity as compared to the punishments. There is individualized value maximization for the offender in every state since he would be well-equipped for the crime and would have full knowledge of the action about to take. He is certain to commit the crime when he is not provided with full opportunities and also what he is denied; then, it is confirmed that the crime would take place. There is no surety that after he is penalized once by the criminal justice system, he would be prevented for life. This challenge was overcome since with the new crimes; new policies have to be molded and also that times do not always remain the same.

Conclusion