For and Against Criminal Justice Management - Essay Example

?Group Discussion – An example for and against  criminal justice management Introduction: In any species, whether among humans or lesser developed genus like mammals, reptiles, birds, and even insects, communication is seen as an essential component for survival and growth. As a result many simple and complex forms of exchange of information have evolved over the years. In the case of the human society, they include one to one interactions, interviews, studies, informal discussions, and formal group discussions. This paper is an example of one successful and one unsuccessful experience with group decision making. The subject of the group discussion is criminal justice management (overview). “In its broadest terms, criminal justice management is defined as the management, supervision, and overseeing of the criminal justice system.  The criminal justice system covers a broad range of areas of justice.  It includes police departments, federal agencies, state agencies, the courts, and correctional facilities” (Strayer University 2011) The successful discussion will be referred to as Discussion A, and the unsuccessful one as Discussion B. The writer of this paper was the leader in Discussion A while remaining a participant in the other one. Discussion A (successful outcome) Participants Leader – the writer (myself) Mr A – Male, Caucasian, age 25, graduate student in criminal justice management Mr B – Male, Afro-American, age 27, graduate student in management studies Ms C – Female, Asian, age 24, graduate student in sociology Ms D – Female, Caucasian, unemployed graduate Mr E – Male, Hispanic, age 28, graduate in criminal justice management Discussion A starts – Leader: Welcome and thank you for agreeing to participate in this discussion. You are all aware (in different ways) about increasing crime rates in the country. But instead of just punishing the criminals, it is felt that a management system be effectively implemented so that criminals have a chance to get back into the mainstream society and also to prevent individuals with criminal intent (for whatever reasons) not to indulge in such activities. Before moving on to the actual discussion, let me just outline the roles to be played by each member. The three golden rules are listen to the speaker without any bias, not to whisper or talk to the person sitting next to you (for example, conspiring), and when required speak out your mind sincerely and boldly (Bulatao, 1999, 4). There are other do’s and don’ts that need to be followed (Ganguly, 2002). and I shall be strict with these guidelines. Intervention will be necessary if the discussion turns hostile or goes outside the topic. Do not go on repeating what you have once already said and please be sure that you have some facts and figures to back up your points. Participation and reciprocation and important and last but not least, be polite enough to thank the listeners at the beginning and end of your opinions. Being loud and aggressive will not be tolerated, and do not interrupt a person while he is speaking. Irrelevant questions, being depreciative, and exhibiting of emotional outbursts is not a accepted norm in group discussions. If you find another speaker putting across views in a better way, do not get nervous- either accept them or put across lucid and valid arguments as the case may be. I apologize for this long introduction, but hope I have made my points clear? The group as a whole – Yes Leader- Shall we then begin, ladies and gentlemen? Who shall speak first, how about you Ms D? Ms D – Okay. I feel that there are not enough policemen to control crime, especially by immigrants and blacks in the country. Mr B – I object to that comment. Do you have any figures or even reasons for such a statement? Mr A – No. I am just stating from the information from the media. (The group members begin to talk themselves regarding this matter) Leader – Ladies and gentlemen, please, we are moving away from the core issue of the discussion. You have already forgotten what I have stated in my introductory statement. Please stick to the point, do not accuse a particular group, or get emotional. This will not be tolerated. Mr A – As a student of criminal management…….. Mr E – I don’t care for your degree, you see I am studying the same course and it is not your credentials that matter, but the points that you put across. Mr A – (Listens patiently) Thank you for reminding me that. And please, Ms D, do not take offense on not agreeing with your observations. It is true that crime rate is increasing in our country. But it is not our concern here to blame a particular group, community or nationality. Authorities on this subject state that two essential elements be present in criminal justice management. They are quality circle programs and management by objectives (Stojkovic, Kalinich & Klofas, 2002, 192). Ms C – I am new to the United States and a student of sociology. So, could you please expand on those two concepts please? Mr B – I know what you are talking about, but let us get down to the actual business of topic under discussion. Leader- Mr B, as a management student, you are definitely aware of these concepts. But let Mr A explain them for the benefit of the other participants. Please cooperate. Mr B – Sorry to sound rude. Okay, let him explain these points, no problem, I will not interrupt. Mr A – Quality circle simply means enhancing the ability of those involved in criminal justice management. This means interaction (like this discussion) and providing an environment for growth. Management by objectives means defining a clear goal for an organization and fixing a specific path and time period for its completion. This is a simple definition and I hope it is clear to everyone. (There is a definite environment of agreement here). Ms D – I am an unemployed graduate and have been booked once for shoplifting. I admit that it is a problem with me. Let me know how the criminal management system can help me. Leader – Anyone who can contribute to help her? Mr E – Please let me explain the point with a quote – “In criminal justice, the typical organization is not attempting to generate profit, but rather to deter, prevent, identify, and process crime and criminal acts. It is service based” (Allen & Sawhney, 2010, 4). So it is a social community based approach that involves law enforcement officials, civic authorities, and volunteer and service based organizations. This is need of the hour, but whether it actually happens is still a matter of debate and concern. Leader – Time is running short, but from what you have heard (listened) and spoken, could you please form a consensus if possible. I request Mr A to talk to the other group members and present their opinions regarding the issue. (After 10 minutes of deliberation) Mr A – First of all, all the members would like to thank the leader in providing an effective direction towards the topic. The general consensus is that it not enough to punish criminals, but it is also essential to implement an effective criminal management system in pace. From what we have observed, such a system is in place in the United States. But further discussions are necessary to make the system more effective. All the participants, including myself are willing to contribute to this effort. I should alos add that a previous group discussion had disastrous results and opinions (referred to as Discussion B). Leader – Thank you for your whole hearted cooperation. Let me congratulate you on one respect – you have practically followed all the tenets prescribed in effective group discussions. Minor disagreements and emotions were put aside for the benefit of the common goal or cause. This attitude will help you in whatever career you choose in future. Thank you once again. Discussion B (Unsuccessful outcome): (The same participants participated in another simulated group discussion. The only factor was that Discussion B was conducted prior to Discussion A, and the leader of the group was Mr B (leader), graduate in criminal justice management). Leader: Let us start the discussion on criminal justice management. Who shall speak first? Ms D – I don’t understand anything about justice management. I got arrested for shoplifting. I get the urge to pinch some objects from a store when I think nobody is looking. I have got away with some free products four or five times. But once, I got caught and was sentenced to do social service for a week or spend a work in prison. I come from a poor family and the things that I steal……………. Leader (Mr B) – That’s enough. Your admittance of guilt is enough to prove that you are eligible for criminal justice management. Ms D – But I didn’t steal anything that was beyond my needs. (There was total confusion regarding the aspect of criminal justice, and the need for providing basic amenities for the family of Ms D.) Leader: The law takes precedence in any criminal act, whether it is simple shop lifting or stronger crimes like burglary and murder. Ms D – But, for the information of the participants, the only crime I committed was to shoplift essential food grains and vegetables for my family. Leader: Any act of crime (whatever the consequences) should be punished Ms D – Then what is the reason for this discussion? Are there any reasons why justice is not carried out? Leader – Any ideas from the participants? Mr A – Yes. There are certain reasons why a criminal justice system is bypassed. They Include lack of evidence, failure of witnesses to provide facts, the impact of the law of which overrides the evidence, agreeing to drop charges due to various reasons etc (Siegel, 2008, 394). So. it is not easy to differentiate between plain sentencing and correcting through criminal justice management. Ms D – Do you mean to state that policing and sentencing takes precedence e over justice management. Does it mean that management of criminal tendencies does not have a priority within the United States Judicial and Administrative system? Leader – What about the opinions of all the participants? Do you violently agree or disagree with the opinions provided here? Mr A – The law or statutes should take precedence in any dispute. As a student of criminal justice management, it is up to the judiciary of any state or the Supreme Court to make any decision regarding the issue. Any social or emotional matters should not be taken onto consideration. The laws of the state and the country of the United States is a priority. Mr B – I agree with what Mr A has stated. The one factor is that no bias should be shown towards any community religion race or immigrant as propounded by the American Constitution.. Ms C – I do not fully understand the legal arguments put forth by the other participants. As a sociologist student, I am not able to understand the intricacies of laws and statutes Ms D – As an one time offender, I could not find any therapy that could help in ridding myself of this offense. Mr E – I agree totally with a criminal management system, but the details and intricacies with the criminal management system. (It can be seen here that leadership and commonality of goals were lacking in Discussion B. Some of the participants had their own agendas which could not be unified with the common agenda of criminal; justice management). Conclusion; Two separators areas of group discussion with regard to criminal justice management have been done in this paper in the form of a group discussion. Discussion A dealt with a successive outcome while Discussion B resulted as an inconclusive exercise, the paper provides two dimensions on communication in the form of group discussion which can go either way depending upon the goals and leadership ability of the group leader. It can be said that Discussion A has resulted in arriving at a common concusses. . . References Allen, J.M. & Sawhney, R (2010). Administration and Management in Criminal Justice: A Service Quality Approach, SAGE Publications. Bulatao, J (1999). The technique of group discussion, Ateneo de Manila University Press Ganguly, A (2002). Group Discussion: For Admission and Jobs, Pustak Mahal Siegel, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Cengage Learning. Stojkovic, S, Kalinich, D & Klofas, J (2002). Criminal justice organizations: administration and management, Thomson Wadsworth. Strayer University (2011). Criminal justice management creates opportunities to lead, retrieved 01 July 2011 from, http://www.criminal-justice-careers.com/a/criminal-justice-management-creates-opportunities-to-lead.html Read More