Annotated Bibliography Final 2.edited

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Kenyatta University *

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401

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Sociology

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Annotated Bibliography Name Institution Instructor Course Date

2 Annotated Bibliography Topic: Criminal Justice Reform Beckett, K. (2018). The politics, promise, and peril of criminal justice reform in the context of mass incarceration. Annual Review of Criminology, 1, 235-259. In this paper, Katherine Beckett explores the complex issues surrounding mass incarceration in the US, highlighting the phenomenon's unprecedented nature and wide- ranging effects. According to Beckett, changes in practices and policy have a more significant impact on the growth of correctional facilities than a rise in crime rates. However, she recognizes that it will be challenging to reverse this trend in light of political obstacles to legislative fixes and the limited effectiveness of court interventions in terms of lowering the incarceration rate or enhancing conditions. While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding legislative remedies, the article suggests comprehensive sentence reform as a crucial first step in addressing mass incarceration. Beckett offers other strategies that only sometimes need legislative consent, such as persuading prosecutors to lessen the severity of the punishment through incentives and electoral pressure. Given the difficulties in enacting significant legislative changes, this non-traditional approach might offer a quicker solution to the problem. Furthermore, Beckett emphasizes the significance of bringing back parole or other post-sentence review programs, stressing their role in encouraging rehabilitation and averting needless and expensive incarceration, particularly for the elderly. This suggestion aligns with the overarching objective of mitigating the negative effects of mass imprisonment. The article also mentions community-based initiatives supporting criminal justice reform that include people who are directly impacted by both mass incarceration and violence. These movements, in Beckett's opinion, are hopeful because they may help to humanize those who are involved in the legal system and dispel the myth that mass imprisonment benefits those who have survived crimes. By highlighting the human

3 perspective and experiences of individuals impacted, these movements help transform public attitudes, influencing policy conversations on criminal justice reform. Beckett's paper thoroughly analyzes the difficulties and viable solutions surrounding criminal justice reform, emphasizing the complexities of dealing with mass incarceration in the US. Nowotny, K., Bailey, Z., Omori, M., & Brinkley-Rubinstein, L. (2020). COVID-19 exposes the need for progressive criminal justice reform. American Journal of Public Health, 110(7), 967-968. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Journal of Public Health paper emphasizes how urgently progressive criminal justice reform is needed. Based on modeling from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the authors emphasize the potentially disastrous effects of the virus on the prison and jail systems, with an estimated 160–214 million infections and 200,000–1.7 million fatalities in the US. There is an urgent need for intervention because correctional facilities in crowded and unhygienic circumstances are known to act as amplifiers of infectious diseases. The article describes how COVID-19 outbreaks have already been found in jails with higher infection rates than in the surrounding populations, such as Cook County in Illinois and Rikers Island in New York City. Correctional systems are adjusting to this situation, including lowering admissions and releasing inmates from prisons. Nonetheless, the piece highlights the ongoing resistance to change within the system and points out that not all correctional entities have accepted the necessity for interim adjustments. The authors contend that two crucial elements of progressive criminal justice reform are the broader implementation of compassionate release and the abolition of cash bail. The paper makes the case that a more comprehensive, systemic change is required, even though several organizations have admitted the necessity of short-term solutions. The authors contend that the COVID-19 epidemic drives prompt and long-lasting changes in criminal

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4 justice practices. They claim that these adjustments address the more significant problem of mass incarceration as well as the acute health crisis that exists within prisons, promoting a more just and compassionate system. The article's conclusion emphasizes the significance of implementing policy changes as regular procedures to lessen the adverse health effects of mass incarceration. Kubrin, C. E., & Tublitz, R. (2022). How to Think about Criminal Justice Reform: Conceptual and Practical Considerations. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 47(6), 1050-1070. The article by Kubrin and Tublitz tackles the vital topic of enhancing the efficacy of initiatives to change the criminal justice system. The writers stress the significance of creating a shared understanding of the issues facing the criminal justice system and common success goals. They draw attention to the difficulty in reaching an agreement in this area and stress the well-established difference between "policy talk" and "policy action." The authors contend that careful study and debate of conceptual and practical issues are necessary for effective reform. From a conceptual standpoint, they emphasize how important it is to precisely define concerns and encourage using a common vocabulary when discussing difficulties in the criminal justice system. They underline that effective reform initiatives require unambiguous communication and a shared knowledge of the problems. In terms of application, the paper explores policy creation and adoption, acknowledging that converting theoretical ideas into practical policies is an essential component of criminal justice reform. The writers push for the result of clearly defined guidelines that are also long- term viable. They stress how crucial it is to match the shared conceptual framework created by successful policy discourse with the formulation of policies. The essay aims to close the gap between conceptual talks and policy execution by promoting constructive thought and conversation on criminal justice reform. By doing this,

5 the writers want to aid in developing long-lasting and successful criminal justice reforms. The article's insights hold potential value for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates engaged in the process of criminal justice reform. To sum up, the paper by Kubrin and Tublitz thoroughly analyzes the difficulties and factors related to criminal justice reform. It emphasizes how important it is to have a compelling conceptual framework and translate these ideas into workable, well-thought-out policies to alter the criminal justice system significantly. Kelley, J., & Rizer, A. (2019). Keep calm and carry on with state criminal justice reform. Federal Sentencing Reporter, 32(2), 86-91. Kelley and Rizer (2019) investigate how the First Step Act affects state initiatives for criminal justice reform. As the writers point out, the federal legislation passed a year before the authors' writing was a driving force behind the enactment of reforms in states like Florida. Even in historically conservative states like North Carolina and Arkansas, state-level reforms were successfully passed thanks to the momentum created by the First Step Act. The writers emphasize the First Step Act's historical background, placing it at a crucial juncture in developing criminal justice reform. They underline how right-of-center state politicians were able to address significant concerns in their criminal justice systems by using federal legislation as political cover. It is especially noteworthy because it represents a change from the conventional tough-on-crime policies to a more reform-oriented posture among conservatives. Kelley and Rizer detail how the First Step Act impacted state-level initiatives. After encountering obstacles in their reform efforts, states such as Florida received fresh impetus and backing following the passage of the federal Act. The article describes how legislation was subsequently introduced in states with a conservative reputation, suggesting a federal-to- state spillover. The critical realization from Kelley and Rizer highlights that passing new laws

6 is not the only factor determining whether criminal justice reforms are successful. They argue that well-written legislation can only be effective if it is fully implemented, with sufficient resources and thorough execution. It emphasizes how important it is to continue working after legislation passes because unfinished or inadequately funded projects have a higher chance of failing. To guarantee that reforms have the desired effect on the criminal justice system, the authors stress the significance of taking a comprehensive strategy and advise policymakers to prioritize the entire reform lifecycle, encouraging long-term transformation instead of token gestures. The article by Kelley and Rizer adds to the conversation on criminal justice reform by emphasizing the connections between initiatives at the federal and state levels. The First Step Act prompted historically conservative states to address problems with their criminal justice systems and provide impetus for federal improvements. The essay emphasizes how national legislation shapes and influences state-level policies, making it a valuable tool for understanding the larger context of criminal justice reform. Porter, N. D. (2022, December 14). Top Trends in Criminal Justice Reform, 2022. With more than five million people under correctional custody in 2020, the United States is positioned as a global leader in incarceration, as the article opens by underlining the worrying numbers. The enormous number of persons with criminal histories, many of whom have had felony convictions, highlights the pervasive influence of the criminal justice system on American culture. The author emphasizes how tough-on-crime rhetoric has historically led to mass incarceration and the necessity for policy and practice adjustments to combat it. Policy Changes for Decarceration: According to the article, legislators in 15 states and Washington, D.C., enacted policy changes in 2022 that addressed collateral effects and decarceration. The goal was to create public safety strategies that work. The realization that the extent of incarceration has not produced advantages commensurate with public safety is

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7 the driving force behind these measures. Adopting initiatives to mitigate severe sentencing, alter drug laws, and change jail procedures shows that policymakers are becoming increasingly aware of the need for a more balanced approach. Reasons for Changes in Criminal Justice Policy: The author offers insights into the factors that have influenced changes in criminal justice policy, particularly about the administration of jail capacity. The current level of incarceration has reached a point where the benefits to public safety are dwindling, as acknowledged by policymakers. Notwithstanding obstacles brought about by worries about an upsurge in violent crime, legislators and other stakeholders have made reforms aimed at a more complex and well- rounded approach to public safety a top priority. Difficulties in Reform Efforts: The essay addresses the challenges those involved in criminal justice reform face. The discourse around the rise in violent crime has notably impeded the implementation of essential reforms, including the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences and the extension of non- incarceration alternatives for those facing jail sentences. It demonstrates the nuanced balance that policymakers must achieve and the intricacy of the political and public discourse surrounding criminal justice issues. Changing Structure for Criminal Justice Reform: The changing structure for criminal justice reform is based on decreasing prison returns for minor infractions, increasing out-of- prison options for those found guilty of lesser crimes, and allowing earned release for inmates who complete treatment programs. This comprehensive approach highlights the need to treat the underlying causes of criminal conduct and advance a more equitable and just system, signaling a move away from punitive measures and toward rehabilitation and reintegration. Policy Areas Covered by Reforms: The article divides recent policy changes into major categories, such as youth justice, drug policy, probation and parole, prison reform, and

8 guaranteeing voting rights. This all-encompassing strategy acknowledges that for reform initiatives to be successful, they must address all facets of the criminal justice system. The article thoroughly analyzes the significant developments in criminal justice reform for 2022. It clarifies the reasons for policy changes, the difficulties reformers encounter, and the developing framework that aims to address public safety more effectively and efficiently. Understanding the state of criminal justice reform today and the continuous efforts to address problems like mass incarceration, collateral effects, and the need for a more just and rehabilitative system is made more accessible with the help of the annotated bibliography. References Kubrin, C. E., & Tublitz, R. (2022). How to Think about Criminal Justice Reform: Conceptual and Practical Considerations. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 47(6), 1050–1070. Kelley, J., & Rizer, A. (2019). Keep calm and carry on with state criminal justice reform. Federal Sentencing Reporter, 32(2), 86-91.

9 Porter, N. D. (2022, December 14). Top Trends in Criminal Justice Reform, 2022. Nowotny, K., Bailey, Z., Omori, M., & Brinkley-Rubinstein, L. (2020). COVID-19 exposes need for progressive criminal justice reform. American Journal of Public Health, 110(7), 967-968. Beckett, K. (2018). The politics, promise, and peril of criminal justice reform in the context of mass incarceration. Annual Review of Criminology, 1, 235-259.

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Annotated Bibliography Final 2.edited

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