Module 1_Discussion Thread - Diversity in Criminal Justice
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Liberty University *
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550
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Law
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by ProfessorHedgehog3323
D
ISCUSSION A
SSIGNMENT I
NSTRUCTIONS
You will complete 4 Discussions in this course. You will post one thread of at least 400 words
by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. You must then post 2 replies of
at least 250 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned Module: Week. For each
thread, you must support your assertions with at least 3 scholarly citations in APA format. Each
reply must incorporate at least 2 scholarly citations in APA format. Any sources cited must have
been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include peer reviewed journal
articles, textbooks, the Bible, etc.
PROMPT:
Regardless of the philosophical approach one embraces with regard to the criminal justice system (due process vs. crime control, consensus or conflict model, or individual rights vs. public order), the police, courts, and correctional components must operate within a multicultural society; a society that embraces lifestyle diversity.
Discuss how multiculturalism and diversity impact the application of those philosophical approaches by the criminal justice groups (police, courts, and correctional) charged with achieving justice. Integrate within your discussion the impact of a Judeo-Christian viewpoint on the implementation of criminal justice to
today’s society.
Response:
Diversity and multiculturalism are terms that are frequently used, or dare I say, over-
used in society today when topics of conversation turn to politics, human rights violations, the legal system, and many other components of influence. Both of these ideas also play a large role in how the different philosophical methodologies within the criminal justice system. One of the key aspects to keep in mind however; is that, “
race nor ethnicity determines a person’s values, attitudes, or behavior” (Schmalleger, 20200401, p. 25).
The American society is a constant evolution of multiculturalism and the past few years has experienced an even greater push towards flaunting its capability of being ‘diverse.’ However; this does regularly bring the challenge for entities such as law enforcement and the criminal justice system, in terms of navigating and having interactions with peoples from all different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We tend to still live actively in
time when, “segregation is [still] widely ignored, denied, or [openly] approved of by the [general] public” (Logan & Oakley, 2017). Successfully navigating these components in the scope of daily job functions takes a lot of hard work and dedication to enforce laws and regulations from a place of comprehension as well as sensitivity. It is imperative that those who are tasked with enforcing the regulations within the criminal justice system are open to continual learning efforts, as well as confrontation when they may
inadvertently be insensitive or impatience with understanding during encounters with individuals from different backgrounds. For example, the due process model, highlights maintaining goals of fairness and protection of individual rights, by taking into consideration cultural practices and beliefs during the extent of an investigation. Likewise, multiculturalism had an impact on affects the courts and all those involved either as court officials, prosecution, defense, jurors and so forth. This is because if there is no commonality or consensus around the acceptance and acknowledgement of cultural diversity; even during the decision-making process for the legal system then we blatantly ignore biases or prejudices, even unintentional ones, which can raise concerns
of discrimination. Within corrections, diversity has a significant impact on the system because there are now many different cultures and backgrounds all being housed, or confined, into small crowded spaces. It is imperative that there are policies, procedures,
and resident programs that are inclusive to all types of individuals and their backgrounds. As for the Judeo-Christian impact on the criminal justice system; it is fairly evident in the
manner in which the principles and values of retribution options stem. The country was founded on a basis of religious perspective. As the Holy Bible teaches Christians that we are called to live a life bearing witness to the love of Christ, and we recognize there is so much freedom in the redemption of our sins – the criminal justice system uses a similar pattern. The Bible teaches on points of justice, forgiveness, and restoration; our criminal justice system stands firm on the practice of seeking justice, the goal of corrections is reform, and if all works ideally, once the reformation has taken place persons can reintegrate back into society as ‘new’ individuals. The most important thing to remember however, is that while there is correlation this does not equal a causation or breech in the separation of church and state. While the moralities derived from a Judeo-Christian viewpoint can be an aid for informed decision-making, or influence in carrying out justice, biblical foundations cannot be imposed as governing policy.
References
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version [containing the Old and New Testaments].
(2016). Crossway.
Logan, J. R., & Oakley, D. (2017). Black lives and policing: The larger context of ghettoization. Journal of Urban Affairs, 39(8), 1031–1046. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2017.1328977
Schmalleger, F. (20200401). Criminal Justice Today, 16th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf 10.3.3]. Retrieved from vbk://9780135770702
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