Changes in Criminal Justice - Research Paper Example

Biometrics is used to help identify criminals using specific personally identifiable characteristics. A biometric system recognizes distinct physical or behavioral traits of an individual. Such aspects include fingerprints, retinal scans, facial features, and voice prints (Pankanti et al 2000). Although the use of biometrics revolutionized the justice system, several flaws still exist that limit its effectiveness. Unfortunately, the accuracy of biometric measuring systems is not perfect and leaves a large room for error.

In addition, biometric information can only help catch a criminal if his biometric measures are recorded in a database. As of right now, only certain people are recorded in such databases such as former criminals and government employees (Jain et al 2004). In order to decrease crime, the future might show the increased input of individuals into databases. For example, biometric information may be recorded at birth. In addition, there will mostly likely be a greater variety and more widespread use of biometric systems (Jain et al 2004).

While biometrics currently helps catch criminals, its usage will mostly grow in the future due to technological advances. Another aspect of criminal justice likely to advantageous change in the future is cybercrime protection. . As the Internet continues to become more prevalent in society, it will become increasing important to protect information passed via the Internet. Therefore, the future will most likely see increased security measures in order to block cyber criminals. The use of nanotechnology will increase the criminals’ ability to steal information using nanobots or computer robots to record information.

This will require advanced firewalls to block (Finnie et al 2010). An important aspect of crime protection in the future will surround computer and Internet crimes. Arguably, the most significant change in the criminal justice system likely to place within the next fifty years is a shift in the penal system. The modern prison began in the 1970s and, although, they are theoretically referred to as correctional institutions, a more appropriate name would be violent or convict prisons. The period grew from disaffection with the concept of rehabilitation, an increase in the racialization of prison, and strict legislation in response to the increase in recreation drug use (Haney & Zimbardo 1998).

An increase in the availability and subsequent fear of drugs sparked the nation’s War on Drugs, Determinate Mandatory Law, and Truth in Sentencing. A predetermined amount of prison time distinct to each crime increases the number of inmates. In relation to drugs, the strict law increases the number of inmates locked up for relatively petty offenses such as possession of an illegal substance because a sentence cannot be reduce due to good behavior and, one has to serve at least 85% of the sentence.

This increase in strict legislation has induced a rapid growth in prison population. This has resulted in overcrowded prisons, and the constant need for more prison spaces.