Key issues affecting criminal justice administration today

Criminal justice administration mainly focuses on crime prevention and punishing any illegal activities. Criminal justice administration is wide and it entails law enforcement and the judicial administration. Some of the jobs that relate to criminal justice administration include; security coordination, juvenile delinquency administration, law enforcement and being a courtroom official. Additional crime is also part of criminal justice administration. This field entails terrorism prevention, immigration policies and social policies. Other duties that criminal justice entails include; police officer, community relations advocate and correctional officer. For an officer working with the criminal justice administration, his work involves law enforcement (Bharti, 2008).

Key issues in Criminal Justice Administration today

The criminal justice administration today faces various issues and problems thus needing serious reforms. In most cases, many nonviolent offenders go to jail because many prosecutors and district attorneys succumb to political pressure hence become tough on crime. The prisons are always populated and there are minimal resources to ensure there are significant improvements in the system. Some of the key issues facing Criminal justice department today include; wrongful convictions, gangs, racial injustices in the administration, excessive criminalization, socio economic considerations, and problems with informants (Miller, 2011).

Wrongful convictions

One of the major issues affecting the Criminal Justice Administration is wrongful convictions of the suspects. Some of the common causes of wrongful convictions include; Misidentification of the eyewitnesses, Improper Forensic Science, poor lawyers, Snitches and informants, False confessions and government misconducts. Eyewitness misidentification is the major factor affecting wrongful convictions.

Gangs

Gangs are accountable for most of the crimes around the globe. Many legal experts claim that criminal justice administration is not in a position to control the strength and growth of gangs around the globe. Most legal experts also claim that the justice administrations are unable to send criminal gangs in prison or keep them under security.

Criminal victims and the Criminal justice administration

Criminal victims and the justice administration is also a key issue affecting the criminal justice administration today. How the criminal justice administration handles a criminal victim affects the justice system. Currently, the criminal justice administration contributes to its own failure by mainly focusing on the criminal hence detriment the victim during the process.

Racial Injustices in the justice administration

Racial Injustices in the justice systems is a key issue that affects the criminal justice administration. Depending on how the justice administration handles the criminal victims will determine how efficient the system work. Racial injustice is being unjust to individuals or groups with a particular race especially on legal matters. Racial injustices in judicial matters include discrimination on races or ethnicity during administration of justices. Regarding criminal laws, racial injustices refers to conducting racial profiling and imposition of penalties on criminals, including death sentences basing on race (Stojkovic, 2004).

Informant's problems

Informants are snitches. An informant is an individual who gives information about other individuals or groups to an agency. The term snitch or an informant is a common word within the law. These groups of people are confidential. They generally supply information without other parties consent with a malicious intention or financial gain. In the criminal justice administration, most wrongful convictions are because of informant's problems. Informants in the criminal justice administration can sometime give false information or falsely testify against the defendant for the purpose of various benefits.

Excessive Criminalization

Excessive criminalization is also a key issue that affects criminal justice administration currently. The increasing number of crimes across the globe heavily affects the administration of criminal justice. More criminal laws are essential in increasing the need for justice enforcement and justice officers. Excessive criminalization will derail or slow down justice administration.

Socioeconomic considerations

Socioeconomic factors are multiple phases when it comes to the criminal justice administration. The ability of a person facing a criminal charge to hire a legal representative is significant. Criminal acts, which have equivalent harms such as cocaine use, have different sentencing consents thus giving rise to the argument that some criminal activities have different sentencing consents. In the same context, the relationship between social services and human services helps in stabilizing families and creating self-sufficiency benefits to individuals who are less vulnerable to abuse.

Module 1 SLP

There are three different areas of criminal justice administration. These include; judiciary, enforcement and custodial.

Judiciary (current issues in the judiciary)

Currently, the judiciary faces various challenges. One of the major challenges the judiciary faces is the debate over Supreme Court's activism proper limits. This debate pits strict constructionists against the judicial activists or the loose constructionists. In this situation, the strict constructionists believe that the Supreme Court has the responsibility of interpreting the constitution by the use of its wordings and author's original intentions. The strict constructionists argue that, the court has the mandate to serve as a watchdog thus, maintaining the balance between adhering to the precedents and government's separate powers. The Strict constructionists are for the idea that the changes must come through legislative actions and the executive (Stojkovic, 2004).

The Loose constructionists are in favor of Constitutional liberal interpretations. They claim that the Constitutional authors did not mean to preserve the unchanging society. Loose constructionists also claim that the judiciary is the protector of unpopular viewpoints and minority rights. The judicial activists always seek protection from the courts for opinions and rights, which the legislative majority cannot accept. In most cases, the Supreme Court upholds minority group's rights by adopting flexible Constitutional views. These include the Amish Witnesses (Stojkovic, 2004).

Law enforcement (current issues in Law enforcement)

In the past years, disturbing, controversial and divisive issues have derailed the law enforcement during the performance of their duties. Other issues include, use of dogs, shootings, riots, and police beatings. Currently issues that relate to racial profiling heavily affect the department. There is some degree of perception that law enforcers enforce various laws, which are based on ethnicity of the people. County and local law enforcement agencies have difficulties in performing their responsibilities without community members' trust and support (Siegel, 2010).

Custodial

Custodial is simply a judicial sentence. It is imposing a punishment, which consist of mandatory custody to the convict. The custody can either be in prison, educational institution that can be either reformatory or a drug detoxification area. Some crimes including child sexual abuse, these sentences are almost inevitable. (Siegel, 2010).

Some of the current issues affecting Custodial include; prison overcrowding, fines, suspended imprisonment sentences, community services, and probations. Fines are forms of punishment that courts use instead of imprisonment. In most cases, courts use fines for petty offenders.

Module 2: Case

Enforcement Area

This case will mainly focus on an interview I did with the enforcement manager in the Criminal Justice administration. During this interview, there are several issues that we discussed pertaining enforcement in the criminal justice administration especially in the contemporary society. Some of the issues during the discussion have the ability to derail achieving enforcement goals in the criminal justice administration (Siegel, 2010). The enforcement area is in need for comprehensive consultations and more sponsorship from the stakeholders and the government in order to handle key determinants in the achievement of the long-term and short-term goals in the criminal justice. Despite the hiccups facing the criminal justice administration, most of the judicial institutions are still in a position to forge cordial relationships and collaboration in achieving justice for all criminals in the country (DuPont-Morales, 2007).

The main issues during the discussion include; police brutality, off duty behaviors and corruption among the law enforcers. These issues contribute to the derailment of criminal justice in the judicial administration. I believe these are some of these issues play a huge part in derailing the criminal judicial system globally. Corruption among the law enforcers is misconduct among the police. This is a situation where the enforcement officers seek to extract money or advancement of career through power abuse. In most cases, the law enforcers do this for personal gains. Police brutality is also a form of derailment in the criminal justice administration. Police brutality entails forcefully obtaining information from an individual or a suspect (Leigh, 2009).

Solving these issues is a long process.

Solving some of these issues will take more time and commitment. The criminal justice administration and the government can join hands in checking and adjusting some of the Police reforms. Police reforms starts on the grass roots levels before heading to the top levels. One of the major reforms is salary increment in the judicial system.

Module 2- SLP

Enforcement issues

The second SLP shares close links or connections with the case assignment. The case assignment focused the interview that I had with the enforcement manager in the enforcement area of criminal justice administration (Gaines & Miller 2013). In the interview, we discussed a range of issues pertaining to the enforcement area of criminal justice administration in contemporary society. These issues have the ability to hamper or negate achievement of goals of the enforcement area of criminal justice (Gaines & Miller 2013). Enforcement area requires comprehensive consultation among all key stakeholders in attempt to solve or handle key determinants towards achieving both short-term and long-term ambitions of the criminal justice. Despite the existence of these assorted challenges, most judicial institutions have managed to forge cordial relations and cooperation towards realization of justice to all criminals in a state or country (Gaines & Miller 2013).

My decision to choose the manager for the interview came about owing to his vast knowledge in matters of enforcement of criminal justice. Administration of justice to criminals must follow due process of the law (Neubauer 2011). Hence, the manager notwithstanding his experience and expertise in this unit is more candid to provide information without apprehension. Under the administration of criminal justice, only personnel with vast knowledge and experience in matters of law and criminal justice have direct consent or permission to comment and even proceed to give sensitive information (Neubauer 2011). The manager enjoyed the rights and privileges as one of the senior most personnel under any system of criminal justice administration. Choice of manager as the main source of information and other insights of the enforcement area came about due to sensitivity of fundamental issues of the enforcement area (Neubauer 2011). The fundamental questions asked during the interview include but not limited to the following:

(i). What are your duties and responsibilities of a manager of such critical area of criminal justice?

(ii). What are the key issues derailing the realization of goals and objectives of the enforcement area in Criminal Justice?

(iii). Are these challenges affecting your work as the manager/supervisor?

(iv). What strategies or plans has the institution of criminal justice put in place to solve the impasse?

The interview did turn out as widely expected. The manager was more open when it comes to dealing with a number of key issues in Criminal Justice. He particularly addressed a considerable number of ethical issues on both historical and philosophical level (Neubauer 2011). The challenges have existed in relation to policing, global politics, and the government over the years. The enforcement area has suggested distinctive policies towards dealing with issues and challenges hampering serviced delivery and execution of duties in general. Issues such as off duty behavior, police brutality, and corruption have increasingly derailed criminal justice. Governments all over the world have initiated strategies through criminal justice division to enhance delivery of justice and effectiveness of the agencies of enforcement area (Neubauer 2011). The enforcement area experiences a number of challenges that have rendered the police and other law enforcement agencies ineffective. In effect, their effort to discharge duties as per the provisions of the law is highly compromised.

Module 3- Case

Judiciary issues

I did interview a supervisor in the judiciary area. Various reasons influenced my choice of the supervisor for the interview. He had had vast knowledge and experience on matters of the judiciary and legal processes of this critical institution (Grossman & Roberts 2012). He had also shown interest in availing the essential information I had sought for in a very transparent and unbiased manner. This contradicts the general notion of the public about judicial officers as regards giving crucial information about the legal matters. Hid candor in giving information on judicial mattes without trying to lean on any side of the divide is worth it (Gaines & Miller 2013).

Many people in the contemporary society have lost hope in the way the institution conducts its business with majority losing even the little hope they had in it (Gaines & Miller 2013). Justice has become a privilege of the rich and well-to-do members in the society. The urgency to redeem the lost confidence and hope in the judicial area informed my decision to interview with vast experience in the institution (Gaines & Miller 2013). The following are some of the significant questions I managed to ask the supervisor and obtained quite encouraging responses:

(i). What are the major issues affecting the judicial area of criminal justice administration?

(ii). What efforts has the institution put in place to solve these challenges?

(iii). What roles do departments of police, the courts and corrections play toward facilitating justice delivery and smooth running of affairs of the judiciary?

(iv). What strategies has the judicial area suggested to redeem its image notwithstanding allegations that justice has become a preserve for the wealthy and influential people in the society?

(v). Suggest the hurdles that could possibly hamper the realization of the new policy strategies and plans?

The interview turned out significant and resourceful towards realization of the objectives of the entire judicial process. The discussion revolved around the role of police department, the courts, and correction units (Gaines & Miller 2013). In the interview, utmost cooperation between police and the prosecutor emerged as a vital factor to prosecution and credibility of court proceedings. Department of police have a role of furnish the prosecutor with efficient evidence to help in prosecution. The courts should never execute rulings depending in the economic, social or cultural orientation of the accused or complainant but focus on credibility of evidence, witness testimonies, and available evidence of the defense team that proves otherwise (Gaines & Miller 2013).

Module 4

Custodial issues

There are key issues linked to the custodial department in the criminal justice department discussed in the interview. The key issues that are evident and inevitable in this case include aspects like overcrowding, ailment, as well as abuse. The manager appears to be in agreement with some of the key issues that arise in the incarceration department. Considering the augmenting number of individuals in the area is reason good enough to justify the increase in those issues (Gabbidon, 2012). The manager also acknowledged the issues with reference to majority of departments that are under the criminal justice administration. However, the manager clearly points out that these issues are resolvable.

There are methods that the manager and the entire criminal justice administration can solve the issues that are arising in this area. To begin with, they have to come up with solutions on how they will deal with the issue of overcrowding in the area (Kamisar, 2012). The best solution for this is to increase the size of the facilities to enhance the availability of enough accommodation. There is probability of employing other methods such as getting individuals serving a shorter time to facilities meant for temporary sentencing. It is important to take note that the moment the criminal justice department is in a position to deal with the issue of overcrowding, then it will be of assistance in solving other issues such as rape along with abuse (Gabbidon, 2012).

There are evident changes that the administration is expecting within the next decade. If the areas do not get maximum attention then it is absolute that the custodial issue will be at its peak in that the criminal justice administration will not be in a position to solve the issue since it will be completely unmanageable. The degree of corruption within the facilities linked to the custodial area will enhance making the area and other similar departments insurmountable (Nkansah, 2011). If the administration develops methods that they will employ to resolve the issues that arise then it is clear that within the next decade they will be having the best facilities that are corruption free.

Module 4: SLP

Custodial issues

The case includes aspects such as overcrowding, ailment, and abuse. In my interview, I considered the manager since he seems to have vast experience and information regarding custodial issues (Dammer & Albanese 2011). The manager was directly ir indirectly involved in solving issues of overcrowding, ailment, and abuse. True justice for criminals should take into account the fundamental human rights of all the offenders. All forms of discrimination or intimidation are totally unacceptable and offensive (Dammer & Albanese 2011). The questions of the interview include:

(i). What custodial issues affect the custodial area of criminal justice administration?

(ii). Are there avenues through which the judicial or law enforcement agencies can accomplish toward realization of proper custodial areas?

(iii). What transformation are in waiting for the custodial area?

The interview suggested solutions to custodial issues apart from highlighting issues themselves that includes overcrowding, abuse and diseases/infections (Dammer & Albanese 2011).

Module 5 -- Case

Conclusion

Introduction

The criminal justice administration faces greater issues that have the likelihood of affecting its efficiency in the present day as well as the future. Some of the issues to discuss in this case linked to the criminal justice administration include food shortage, ailment, expenditure along with drugs (Kamisar, 2012). These very significant issues within the department require attention at this level since they have a negative impact on the succession of the administration. If the criminal department does not consider these factors at this early stage as they develop then they will have to face harsher consequences in future (Gabbidon, 2012). The numbers of inmates in the facilities are tremendously increasing thus creating an environment that is conducive for corruption cases.

Monitoring the individuals within the facilities becomes difficult which in turn requires that the criminal justice administration employ more personnel to better the security. Hiring more employees means that the administration will have to incur additional expenses to ensure that they handle the arising issues (Nelson, 2011). If the criminal justice department fails to administer these upcoming issues then the level of crime will increase. This is possible since there will be lack of facilities for restraining people guilty of criminal acts meaning they will be among the community. The moment people are aware that they have the possibility of committing crime and getting away with it, they have the encouragement of going against the law (Ristea, 2009).

Key Concerns of the Enforcement Area

The enforcement area, the criminal justice administration has the responsibility of dealing with key issues that have the likelihood of affecting the progress of the administration. Under the enforcement area, the criminal justice administration can ensure that they recruit more officers to emphasize in the enforcement of the laws that govern the nation. There is need for an inclusive consultation among the various stakeholders for to the department to facilitate the process of coming up with resolution (Ristea, 2009). This is a significant step in the ensuring the administration is in a position to deal with immediate and enduring issues within the administration. The other issues that govern the administration include policing as well as political instability.

These issues have a great impact on the well-being of the administration in that they influence the application of enforcement services. Police are significant figures in ensuring that people maintain law and order. If they fail to ensure that they carry out their duties appropriately, they risk increasing the rate of crime and weakening the criminal justice department as a whole. Political instability contributes to the arising of other issues such as corruption within the area of enforcement thus affecting the criminal justice administration (Nkansah, 2011). Politics has an impact on the prosperity of the justice administration since the political leaders have the power to manipulate the administration of the department.

Key Issues of the Judiciary area

The judiciary area in the criminal justice administration faces certain issues that are influential in the management process. The judiciary area may fail to settle disputes that tend to arise in the area thus creating tension within the individuals in the area. The courts have the responsibility of ensuring that any disputes arising and it has to be fair and just when making a ruling (Ristea, 2009). These disputes have the potential of bridging dissimilarities between personnel in the judiciary area. Another key issue under this area is the law interpretation or definition by certain individuals. If one fails to understand what the law states then it is possible that they will not acknowledge the legal steps to follow.

Key Issues of the Custodial Area

The custodial area of the criminal justice administration is currently facing issues that will affect it in future. The custodial area is responsible in ensuring that the people guilty of going against the law get convicted. There being challenges in the area such as overcrowding means that the department is at risk since it will get to a point where it has no more room for the inmates. There is risk of other issues arising from overcrowding within the custodial area such as abuse (Gabbidon, 2012). Individuals serving time in the correction facilities get minimal attention, which gives them the room to engage in unlawful acts. The area has to ensure that they have numbers of people unbder custody that they can manage instead of holding people to levels that they start crowding in the facilities.

Conclusion

The case of criminal justice administration having numerous issues within the three areas, judiciary, and enforcement, in addition to custodial is manageable (Nelson, 2011). The administration has to ensure that they come up with policies that will be efficient in addressing the problem at this time and preventing any other long-term issues that are likely to come up in future. This case study acknowledges the various areas that will possibly affect the effectiveness of the administration of the criminal justice department (Ristea, 2009). The management under the criminal justice department has to take note of the issues that area influential to development of other issues such as overcrowding that guarantees the degree of corruption in the facilities and augmentation of diseases. The research is imperative since it assists in the development of the criminal justice administration within various existing areas that fall under the department.

Module 5 SLP

Conclusion

The course turns out to be what I expected with the availability of various issues that govern unreliability of the criminal justice administration. An entire nation tends to rely on the success of the criminal justice department in that if they fail to administer their responsibilities fully then they stand a chance of increasing the degree of crime. As a capstone course, this was a significant study since it assists in ensuring that the criminal justice administration is in a position to liberate rightful duties within its management (Nkansah, 2011). The objectives of this course are significant to the student since they bring out the various aspect that have the power to ruin what the criminal justice department is set out to accomplish.

To improve the course, I would suggest that the students take part in practical session to assist them in building their understanding on the various purposes that the criminal justice administration serves. The administration has various areas set out to conduct different roles in which one has to understand the differing roles and there purposes to the administration. To improve the criminal justice administration's concentration, I suggest that the department increases the number branches that work under every area such as the judiciary, custodial and enforcement for effective concentration.