3.11: System Perspectives
- Page ID
- 47911
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)System Perspectives
Like a continuation of the theories discussed already in this chapter, there are six main perspectives or views of what the criminal justice system should be accomplishing. Depending on the perspective(s) you choose there will be key differences in deciding what the goals, purposes and direction of the system should be. For instance are we here to punish the offender, or help the offender turn their life around, or help the victim, or protect the public? We try to do all things but what should be our primary focus? Let’s take a look at the six perspectives and you can decide which you agree with most.
1. Crime Control
This perspective is one of the first and is still the dominant perspective today. It has roots in the classical theory and thus states that our system should attempt to control crime through deterrence and the use of mandatory sentences and harsh prisons. Justice should be swift and sure, not full of legal technicalities.
2. Rehabilitation
This perspective states that criminals are really victims of the poverty, racism, drugs, unemployment, and other ills of our society. Since society owes them, we should care for and treat those who could not control themselves. We should help put them back on a better path in life.
3. Due Process
This perspective states that the concern should be with legal fairness. It is the duty of our system to provide fair and equitable hearings, treatments, or sanctions. Discretion should be strictly monitored as it can lead to injustices. Legal fairness as per the American constitution should be the goal.
4. Nonintervention
This perspective states that the CJ system often produces unintended harmful results and so should limit involvement with offenders. For instance, a jail term which is meant simply to curtail freedom may actually result in assaults or sexual assaults and a record which harms being able to obtain employment or housing for years to come. To minimize the negative impact victimless crimes should be decriminalized, more offenders should be in community programs rather than prison, and some minor offenses should be handled informally rather than with a trial.
5. Justice
This perspective argues that currently our system tries to punish and rehabilitate at the same time which cannot be done. Instead, punishment should focus on the current behavior only, not what someone predicts may happen in the future. Also, states should adopt determinate sentencing models which will constrain the discretion of judges and insure more fair and consistent sentencing.
6. Radical
This perspective points out that the “Justice” system can be misused by those with money and power. There is a lot of discrimination in society and so poor and minority persons are investigated and sentenced far more often than there are inquiries into government actions or investigations into wealthy citizens or corporate crime. The sensitivity of CJ personnel needs to be sharpened around these issues so discretion is used more fairly.
Each of these perspectives currently influences our system to greater or lesser extent. No matter which perspectives you support they each give us a basis to think critically and creatively about changes we would like to see in the system. Perhaps it will be a combination of perspectives that is enacted in the future as we continually quest for “Justice.”