Discuss how police departments adopt and embrace innovations (e.g. technology, policies, practices).

Hello,

Current Issue Paper

Instructions: Each student will be responsible for selecting a current issue topic in criminal justice administration (Policing, Courts or Corrections) from the options provided at the bottom of this page. There is a total of nine possible topics for you to choose from. This is a research paper and therefore it must include elements of critical thinking, integration of class materials, and ample use of external supporting academic research.

Step 1:

• Scroll down to the section "Areas of Study". • There are 3 areas of study: Policing, Courts and Corrections. • Once you select the area of study that interests you, review the 3 current issue topics

presented for your consideration. • You only have to select one current issue topic from the nine (total) provided. **Do not

address all 3 current issue topics in an area of study.**

Step 2:

• Start the research process for your topic • The UCF Library page is a great resource for articles • You have over a month to work on this essay. • Complete the essay • The submission portal for the assignment will be available in Module 14 • The Module ends Sunday, April 14 by 11:59pm.

Format

• Your essay must include: an introduction, review of relevant literature, presentation of findings, a discussion, and a section on limitations and future implications.

• Each current issue option below has a main query followed by questions (A & B). Your essay should have subheadings for each point. In other words, you do not have to have a section A or B in your essay.

Supporting Research

• The use of content from our text on your selected topic should be limited to maybe a paragraph.

• Please do not simply present a summary of the topic from the text, this is a research essay. • A minimum of 3 peer reviewed journal articles are required for this assignment. • Limit the use of newspapers and online media sources. • Do not use Wikipedia or Encyclopedias

Guidelines

• Title Page – include the name of the assignment, title (the selected topic), our class info and your name.

• The final product should be 8-9 typed pages (not including the title page and reference page) • Use 1 inch margins • Double-spaced • Microsoft Word and submit the file through Canvas • Style: Use the American Psychological Association manual for formatting (e.g., references,

citations, quotes, tables, page layout) • Quotes: Only 1 short quote is allowed throughout the entire paper. Quotes are single-spaced. • Citations: Everything must be appropriately cited in the text and in the Reference section.

(This section should not be called “works cited” or Bibliography) • Spelling: Spelling errors will result in a deduction of points • Grammar: Poor grammar will result in a deduction of points

References:

• All references must be put in the Reference section • All references in the Reference section must be used in the paper

The assignment grades will be posted within one week of the assignment's due date. Once the grades have been posted, you will be able to access your feedback on the assignment in Canvas. No late papers will be accepted without documentation.

Areas of Study:

Policing

Innovation in policing is a topic of much discussion in police organizational literature.

A. Discuss how police departments adopt and embrace innovations (e.g. technology, policies, practices).

B. Research and identify those factors that support as well as hinder the adoption of innovations.

American police exercise tremendous discretionary powers in their interactions with citizens. This discretion creates variance in the outcomes of police encounters with citizens.

A. What factors have been identified as important correlates of discretionary decisions? Are these factors generally considered to be “legal” or “extra legal?”

B. What strategies might be adopted to reduce the variation in outcomes of police- citizen encounters?

Some people suggest that we can reform the role and function of the police by changing the characteristics of officers.

A. What does research tell us about the effects of individual officer characteristics on police behavior (which are the most important)?

B. Assess the likelihood of changing the role and function of policing through recruitment.

Courts

Drug courts have become a very popular alternative to traditional criminal process of drug offenders. With most drug courts, judges take an active interest in the treatment of the offender. Offenders are given the opportunity to participate in drug treatment programs available in the community.

A. Describe some of the various drug treatment approaches that are used in treating drug offenders.

B. Based on your research, are drug courts effective?

Federal judges frequently are appointed for life and can only be removed from office by impeachment. One concern is the problem of elderly judges who refuse to leave the bench despite mental impairment. Some states have imposed mandatory retirement ages for judges, usually round 70 years of age, and the Supreme Court has ruled that this does not constitute age discrimination.

A. Should life appointments continue or be changed? Support your viewpoint with research and a discussion of at least one actual legal case.

B. Every state also has a judicial conduct commission charged with the responsibility of investigating allegations of judicial misconduct and disciplining judges when necessary. Are they effective?

Critics of juvenile courts have argued that this system should be abolished. The original mission of changing young people's behavior has failed.

A. Should juvenile courts be abolished? Should juveniles ever be tried as adults? Are there some situations in which it would be acceptable? Can the more rehabilitative philosophy of the juvenile court be applied when a juvenile is tried in an adult court? Support your position with research and actual legal cases.

B. If juveniles are tried as adults, how should they be sentenced and incarcerated? With the general population?

Corrections

Supporters for the privatization of prisons say they are effective and a cost-saving alternative, while providing an equal level of security and service. Opponents say there is no guarantee they will maintain standards for security, there is differences in disciplinary procedures, they could go bankrupt, and they can increase their fees to the State. Compare the benefits and disadvantages for inmates being held in privately run correctional facilities to those in State facilities in light of the following issues:

A. Safety – e.g. holding conditions, management, trained staff, accountability, sexual and physical violence, hostage taking, security………..

B. Special populations – Mentally ill inmates are a challenge because there is lack of funding for treatment, care, and they need protection. The geriatric inmate population is a fast growing segment of the inmate population. Medical devices, like wheelchairs and walkers, are very expensive. Older inmates may also need nursing care. These special populations are very expensive, require extra resources, and it is often hard to hire correctional staff that work in the mental health and medical fields to work inside a prison setting. Where are the needs of these special populations better-served, private or State facilities?

Correctional officer stress is a widespread phenomenon that has significant consequences for officers in both their personal (health and family life) and work lives (burnout, quitting, corruption, early retirement).

A. Discuss the kinds of organizational stressors that can occur and cause depression, low job satisfaction, and high attrition among corrections employees.

B. What are some of the ways that prison administrators can improve the working conditions for correctional staff (aside from salary increases)? Describe how these measures will be effective in retaining staff.

3. There is a tremendous need for intermediate sanctions in our criminal justice system.

Evaluate the growth of intermediate sanctions in the 21st century.

A. When and how did intermediate sanctions arise as a sentencing option in U.S. corrections? Discuss the underlying philosophy, dominant characteristics and goals of intermediate sanctions.

B. Why is there such a need for intermediate sanctions currently? Explain the pros and cons? Are intermediate sanctions helpful or net widening? Have they been successful in achieving their intended goals?