Thesis: The criminal justice system’s challenges significantly impede delivering justice equitably and relatively to society’s most vulnerable communities.
Boehme, H. M., Cann, D., & Isom, D. A. (2022). Citizens’ perceptions of over- and under-policing: A look at race, ethnicity, and community characteristics. Crime and Delinquency, 68(1), 123–154. Web.
The article investigates over- and under-policing as two different but not mutually exclusive categories. This implies that there is more to frayed police-community relations than residents seeing the police in a negative light. The findings show racialized attitudes of over- and underpolicing. Furthermore, while the degree of under and over-policing differs between neighborhoods, there was a strong link between these outcomes and individual-level race or ethnicity.
The Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods Community Survey is a relevant source of data for the assessment of policing. The article’s peer-review status ascertains the accuracy of the information, and the information presented is acceptable, given that it adds to the knowledge of policing strategies. The article’s strengths include using reliable data sources and a robust methodological approach. Its weakness is that using secondary data reduces the aptness of specific measures. The presented argument is sound, given that its premises are true. The article is relevant to the thesis because it argues that the prevalence of racialized attitudes to policing must be factored in to address police reform, which is essential for the fair dispensation of justice.
Matejkowski, J., & Ostermann, M. (2020). The waiving of parole consideration by inmates with mental illness and recidivism outcomes. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 48(8), 1052–1071. Web.
The authors note that for many persons exiting prison, parole tracking can offer essential assistance for a seamless transition back into society. Those who have a mental illness and are living in imprisonment may benefit the most from such programs. However, many people who are jailed opt not to seek parole and instead serve the entirety of their terms. The researchers’ findings demonstrated that mental illness was directly correlated to forgo parole.
The researchers collected information on prisoner release from a highly populated U.S. East Coast region, contributing to the study’s relevance. Robinson and Landrum (2013) highlight the importance of questioning data. The information’s accuracy is attributable to the article being edited and peer-reviewed. It is acceptable since it is original and enhances existing knowledge about parolees and mental illness. Its strength lies in the use of reliable data, and its weakness is the fact that mental illness was unclassified in terms of severity. The article is relevant to the thesis in that it highlights the need for comprehensive parole programs that address the needs of vulnerable individuals, such as those with mental illness.
Skolnik, T. (2022). Criminal justice reform: A transformative agenda. Alberta Law Review, 59(3), 631–631. Web.
The central premise of this article is that the criminal justice system must be reformed to address its fundamental flaws. It posits that genuine criminal justice reform must occur on four levels. These are substantive criminal law reform, sentence reform, criminal procedure reform, and institutional change. Finally, the author demonstrates why transformational legal change is required to treat persons with greater dignity.
The article uses reputable and scientifically sound data sources to forward its argument. The accuracy of the information is difficult to ascertain, given that its peer-review status is unclear, as is its acceptability. The article’s strengths include using scientifically based data and court decisions. Its weakness is the fact that the thesis statement is rather broad. It is worth noting that the article is generally sound, given that it addresses contemporary issues in the criminal justice system. The author’s argument is relevant to the thesis because the necessity of criminal justice reform is contextualized, as is the need for fair justice for vulnerable communities.
Smith-Merry, J., Mellifont, D., Mckenzie, K., & Clenaghan, P. (2019). A narrative review of mental health support for people during the transition from incarceration to community: The grass can be greener on the other side of the fence. Mental Health, 28(2), 189–197. Web.
The authors focused on identifying the challenges to successful transition assistance program implementation. They include administrative issues that result in inefficient in-reach into correctional facilities or delayed help, as well as a lack of care for immediate requirements, causing convicts to deprioritize their mental health needs. Transition enablers represent the opposite of these barriers, as do other effective techniques such as medical home models and regionalized programs.
The systematic narrative review of recovery-oriented or person-centered mental health support programs, which was the primary data source, helped inform the researchers’ conclusions. The accuracy of the information is evident, given that the article is edited and peer-reviewed. It also has a high degree of acceptability because it is a narrative review of evidence-based articles. The article’s strength is in the use of evidence-based articles. Its weakness is that it included localized studies that are not generalizable. The use of scientifically sound studies supports the article’s overall soundness. The resolution of administrative issues and the prioritization of inmate well-being are necessary to improve mental health outcomes in prison contexts, thus facilitating the delivery of justice to vulnerable individuals.
Sukhatme, N., & Jenkins, J. (2021). Pay to play? Campaign finance and the incentive gap in the Sixth Amendment’s Right to Counsel. Duke Law Journal, 70(4), 775-845. Web.
The article argues that traditional critiques of indigent defense are inadequate as they are conducted now. Instead, indigent defense systems frequently fail due to bad design since they do not link publicly financed defense attorneys with the best interests of their clients. These assignment schemes generate an incentive gap that pushes defense attorneys to expand their caseloads while minimizing their efforts to serve the interests of needy people.
The authors advance their argument by using reports and other scientific data from reputable sources. The article has a high degree of accuracy, given its peer-reviewed status, and it is highly acceptable, given its originality and contributions to existing knowledge. The article’s strengths include the presentation of convincing and perceptive evidence. The article’s weakness is the lack of experiential evidence to support the main argument. The article is sound because the presented evidence is sufficient to back the main argument. The author’s views are relevant to the thesis because re-evaluating indigent defense strategies is essential to ensure all convicted individuals have equal access to justice.
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