Reaction Paper on the Criminal Justice System. Based on the book Picking Cotton: Our memoir of injustice and redemption and the textbook Introduction to criminal justice: Practice and process by Peak and Harold.

In this paper, you will articulate your personal response and experiences while also conducting a thorough analysis of the book Picking Cotton and other course materials. You will go beyond summarizing the content and specifically compare and contrast what you learned through the Peak and Herold (2024) textbook and video lectures with how it was practiced in the 1980s as described in Picking Cotton. Support your reactions and analysis with evidence from the course materials (e.g., Picking Cotton, Peak & Herold textbook, lectures). Use quotes, examples, and references to substantiate your points. The goal is for you to demonstrate your ability to comprehend and analyze the material covered in class using evidence-based arguments.

It is important that you provide evidence from course materials (i.e., use in-text citations and references) to support your statements/critical comments. Your reaction paper should take the form of a coherent, well-organized essay, with a logical structure that is apparent to the reader. Ensure that the work is original and reflects your distinct writing style, not AI-generated.

You will be graded in part on how effectively you are able to communicate your ideas in written form using evidence-based arguments, so be sure to pay close attention to details such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, APA style format, citations, subheadings, etc. 

Instructions

Address the three prompts below in a 3-page, double-spaced reaction paper in your distinct writing style. Proper APA format, writing structure, and grammar are required. Refer to the rubric for the specific grading criteria. 

Guidelines

Questions:

1. What were the two biggest takeaways on the criminal justice system for you from the course? Be specific. 
2. Compare and contrast the justice system components (police, courts, corrections) as presented in the course materials with their practice during the 1980s as depicted in Picking Cotton. Use specific examples from both Picking Cotton and the course materials (the textbook) to support your comparisons. Ensure your response is an analysis of these materials and not a summary of the book.
3. In reflecting on Picking Cotton, was it important for you to read descriptions of the same events from two opposite viewpoints? Did your perceptions change throughout the reading?