Administrator Challenges and What I Have Learned
Challenges
There are many present-day challenges for criminal justice administrators. One of the most significant challenges is related to budget cuts. In recent years, many state and local governments have experienced budget shortfalls, resulting in reduced funding for criminal justice agencies (Rushin & Michalski, 2020). This has led to fewer resources for things like training, technology, and personnel. Additionally, it has put increased pressure on administrators to do more with less.
Another challenge facing criminal justice administrators is the increasing use of technology. While technology can be a valuable tool for law enforcement, it also presents new challenges. For example, the proliferation of cell phones and social media has made it easier for criminals to communicate and coordinate their activities. Additionally, the use of DNA evidence and other forensic techniques has made it easier to solve crimes, but it has also put new demands on police and prosecutors to gather and process this type of evidence.
Finally, the increasing diversity of the population is another challenge that criminal justice administrators...
As the population becomes more diverse, it becomes more difficult to provide culturally competent services to all members of the community. This is an especially important challenge in light of the recent increase in
hate crimes and other forms of bias-motivated violence.
Facing the Courts
In the area of courts, one of the major issues is how to address the problem of sentencing. With prisons overcrowded and recidivism rates still at high levels, critics have called for courts to adopt a reformed approach to sentencing by implementing restorative justice instead of continuing with punitive justice (Johnson et al., 2015; Nilsen, 2007; Smith & Hattery, 2006). Indeed, the restorative justice model has been gaining traction in recent years as an alternative to the punitive justice system (Johnson et al., 2015). And there are a number of reasons why restorative justice makes more sense than punitive justice for todays courts. First, the restorative justice model focuses on healing and reconciliation, rather than...
…effectively communicate with
stakeholders. If I am going to be proactive in criminal justice administration in my
career, I can feel confident that I have the foundational tools to make a difference.
I am confident that the knowledge and skills I gained from this course have been instrumental in helping me succeed in my current role. One area that is particularly in need of attention in my eyes is the court system. In recent years, I have been aware of a number of instances where defendants have been convicted on the basis of unreliable or coerced evidence. Netflix even did an amazing special on one case in particular. At any rate, there are now calls for stricter rules surrounding the admissibility of evidence. In addition, there is a growing consensus that judges and prosecutors should be more diverse. But there is still much that can be done by advocates and administrators working together on these issues. This class has helped give me a sense that I can be part…
