Essays and Research Papers on Criminal Justice

A 6 page overview of the problems alcoholism presents in terms of criminal justice. Evaluates the genetic and environmental determinants of the disease and suggests that the genetic may, in actuality, be more easily addressed than the environmental. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 7 page paper argues in favor of the death penalty. Some focus is on how capital punishment has been administered in New York. The paper argues that in general, the death penalty is a good idea. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

6 pages in length. The extent to which the nation's incarceration rate reflects an ever-growing reality is both grand and far-reaching; that most states continue to experience annual increases instead of declines speaks to a sorely stressed penal system that is running out of room and alternatives. Determining what the American incarceration rates ...

A 4 page discussion of the numerous errors which interlaced the O.J. Simpson trial. The author asserts that if this trial were to be conducted today the outcome would be undoubtedly different. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 10 page paper examines the prison system through Marxist theory. It is suggested that the prison system exists for the benefit of the larger society under capitalism. The prison system is depicted as being class and race based. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

14 pages in length. The penal system has been no help in alleviating the stigma attached to mental illness, routinely and historically treating mentally unstable inmates with just the same harsh approach as their criminally insane counterparts. Indeed, the distinction between these two populations is significant; however, authorities have long been reluctant to ...

This 10 page paper examines eight questions in respect to crime and punishment. Various approaches and authors are mentioned. Typical criminology theories are embraced. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

There has been an increasing trend to use restorative justice. This is seen as cost effective and empowering victims. However, this 7 page paper argues there is a danger that by focusing on needs and interests of victims, restorative justice may go too far in the direction of 'privatising' crime. The bibliography cites 10 sources. ...

This 9 page paper discusses the contributions of Edwin Sutherland to the understanding of white collar crimes. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

This 15 page paper examines the seventeen year rampage by the serial killer, Donald Harvey. Motivations, medical examiner's involvement, methods, prosecution, psychological profiles, included. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

4 pages in length. The overwhelming influence of economic and/or political influence often precludes studies of criminal justice programs from rendering unbiased results as to their effectiveness. The extent to which punishment programs like boot camps and shock incarceration have been touted as beneficial for recidivism rates speaks to the blatant mishandling of ...

An eight page paper which looks at the structure and organisation of the criminal justice system in Turkey, with particular reference to the treatment of political detainees, juvenile offenders, and the recent reforms which have been implemented. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 3 page paper looks at the current state in terms of prison privatization. Some statistics and figures are included. The ideological arguments are waged and the paper concludes that overall, it is a good idea. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

15 pages in length. The United States lays claim the world's highest incarceration rate as a direct result of federal minimum sentencing requirements mandated by law in the 1980s. The result is that state correctional prison budgets are exploding and the national inmate population currently stands at no less than one million prisoners. ...

This 14 page paper examines the criminal justice system in general, the problems with the prison system, and the problem with how justice is meted out. The unfairness of treating juveniles as adults is emphasized. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 6 page paper discussing the difficulties of reducing recidivism among former prisoners and reducing the number of first-time prison sentences. Groups and individuals seeking to reduce the numbers of individuals being convicted of first offenses traditionally have focused on education and community intervention programs, many of which fail to address Maslow’s hierarchy of ...

This 8 page paper discusses the views of crime and punishment in four films: Dead Man Walking, The Crucible, Requiem for a Dream, and Paradise Lost. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 6 page report discusses the 1989 book, Reasonable Doubt: A True Story of Lust and Murder in the American Heartland, written by radio reporter Steve Vogel. In it, Vogel tells the story of the 1983 murder (which Vogel covered) of the murders of Susan Hendricks and her three children, Benjamin (5), Grace (7) and Rebekah (9). The person ...

An 8 page overview of the societal factors believed by many to be responsible for the disproportionate representation of blacks in our nations prisons and jails. The author provides statistics demonstrating the fact that blacks are disproportionately represented and then addresses the problems leading to the social stratification that many believe account for that ...

5 pages in length. From an upstanding citizen, husband and father who holds an MBA to part of a prison community where every moment brings an entirely new set of challenges just to stay alive, Jimmy A. Lerner's You Got Nothing Coming: Notes From a Prison Fish exacts the most deeply felt sympathies for ...

This 4 page paper looks at the criminal justice system and more specifically, restorative justice. Statistics are included. Attention is paid to race, gender and age. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 10 page paper exmines the role of forensic science in determining how justice is served. More specifically, this paper asserts that forensic science is not the miraculous tool it appears to be, and that its use does not always result in justice being served. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 6 page paper discusses the various ways in which mass imprisonment harms society. Examples given, statistics quoted. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 9 page paper which examines the history and effectiveness of selected incapacitation in the criminal justice system. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 4 page overview of the common misperception that racial profiling accounts for the disproportionate representation that some minorities have in our criminal justice system. Noting that this fallacy is often stretched to imply concern over implications in the post-September 11 environment, the author emphasizes that the fact is that a particular culture’s propensity ...