Purpose
In lesson 6, we discussed the importance of basing reform efforts on research within the scholarly literature. This week, you will have the opportunity to explore additional research studies evaluating contemporary reform related to the crime you have selected to focus on in this course. You will complete an annotated outline that will assist you in preparing for your signature assignment.
Instructions
To prepare for this lesson’s assignment, first, conduct a library search and identify at least one research study or scholarly article that discusses the research related to one contemporary reform effort related to your selected crime. Then prepare an annotated outline, which will build on previous assignments in this course and should include the content and be structured as shown below:
I. Identification of the crime type you have selected to focus on during this course.
A. Definition of the crime type based on the scholarly literature, Black’s Law Dictionary, or your state’s statute. TIP: Review your lesson 4 assignment to locate this information making sure to incorporate any professor feedback on that assignment.
B. Identify the prevalence rates of the crime type in the U.S., your state, or local region. TIP: If you cannot locate prevalence rates within a scholarly source, you may be able to find general prevalence rates at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer, which you can locate through a google search.
C. Risk and/or protective factors related to the crime type based on the scholarly literature. TIP: Review your lesson 2 assignment to locate this information making sure to incorporate any professor feedback on that assignment.
II. Current Law, Policy, and Practice
A. Identify and describe relevant, current federal or state law and policy that guides criminal justice system sanctions for the selected crime type. TIP: Review your lesson 4 assignment to locate this information making sure to incorporate any professor feedback on that assignment.
B. Identify and describe the primary sanctions (e.g., probation, incarceration, capital punishment) that are frequently imposed for the selected crime type. TIP: Review your lesson 4 assignment to locate this information making sure to incorporate any professor feedback on that assignment.
C. Discuss the impact of law, policy, and sanctions on victims and/or offenders, including recidivism rates, fairness of sanctions, and/or the extent to which offenders receive other rehabilitation needs (e.g., mental health services). Tip: Review your lesson 3 and 4 assignments to locate this information making sure to incorporate any professor feedback on those assignments.
III. Contemporary Reform Efforts Related to the Crime Type
A. Identify at least one contemporary reform within law enforcement, the court, sanctions, criminal law, or incarceration that is relevant to the crime type. TIP: You may use the reform discussed in the lesson 5 assignment or select a new one based on the source you found for this lesson’s assignment.
B. Describe how the reform effort changed law, policy, and/or practice. TIP: You may use the reform discussed in the lesson 5 assignment or select a new one based on the source you found for this lesson’s assignment.
C. Identify the ways in which the theory you have selected to focus on in this course aligns with the contemporary reform. TIP: You may use the reform discussed in the lesson 5 assignment or select a new one based on the source you found for this lesson’s assignment.
D. Identify any ways in which the theory you have selected to focus on in this course does not align with the contemporary reform. TIP: You may use the reform discussed in the lesson 5 assignment or select a new one based on the source you found for this lesson’s assignment.
E. Identify any research that supports the contemporary reform. TIP: This information should be based on the scholarly source you found for this lesson’s (lesson 6) assignment.
F. Identify any research that is inconsistent with the contemporary reform. TIP: This information should be based on the scholarly source you found for this lesson’s (lesson 6) assignment.
IV. Identify an Original Idea for Reform (TIP: This idea will be based on the information in above sections and does not have to be specifically identified in any scholarly articles. The goal is to create original ideas based on knowledge gained thus far in the course.)
A. Describe how your reform will build on or replace existing reforms, current law, policy, and/or practice.
B. Discuss how your reform will address issues related to public safety, curbing crime, just punishment, rehabilitating offenders, and/or victim support.
To assist you in completing the outline, please download and use the template located in the resources for this lesson.
Length: 2 – 3 page outline, not including title and reference pages
References: Include a minimum of 4 scholarly references. At least one reference should be related to a contemporary reform effort, while other references may be used from previous assignments.