Cost of Justice Term Paper

Total Length: 833 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 3

Justice

The objective of this study to is examine the expenditures on corrections at the state and federal level and perform a cost benefit analysis of the modern American conception of justice.

Justice -- What Is It?

Justice is many things to many people. To some individuals justice is viewed as a form of punishment and to other justice is equity. Broadly defined, justice can be viewed as a means to exact equality from an inequitable relationship between two individuals or entities. Justice, according to the Bible, in terms of punishment is "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." (Exodus 21:22) What the Bible speaks of in this instance is that transgressions shall be rewarded with appropriate punishment.

American Justice

The American justice system is one characterized by punishment that is oftentimes inequitable and in appropriate in the sentencing of offenders. Dr. Matthew Robinson notes that essential issues in American criminal justice are "race and ethnicity" as racial and ethnic minorities are overrepresented in the criminal justice network and underrepresented in politics." (nd) Robinson notes that the three components of the criminal justice network "police, courts and corrections" are not funded equally and as well "do not contain similar numbers of employees.
" (Robinson, 2005) The inequality in both support and funding are reported to indicate, "a greater focus placed upon the services provided by the police. Corrections hold the next highest position in funding and employees, logically followed by the courts." (Robinson, 2005) The primary goals of the criminal justice system are those of: (1) reduction of crime; and (2) doing justice. (Robinson, 2005) These goals are reported by Robinson to be "often seen as conflicting with one another." (2005)

IV. Costs -- Benefits

The Council on Crime in America stated in its January 1996 report "that the justice system could do a better job of 'restraining known, convicted, violent, and repeat criminals. In its February 1997 report, the Council argued that the justice system could do a better job of promoting crime prevention programs, especially those in which responsible caring non-parental adults 'monitor, mentor, and minister, to at-risk youth, juvenile delinquents, and young adults on probation." ( ) Empirical research states that a cost-benefit analyses "leads us to conclude that policy makers in the states need to revisit mandatory-minimum drug laws that are increasingly prison populations without demonstrably and cost-effectively increasing public safety." (Piehl, Useem, and DiIulio, 1999) A cost-benefit analysis.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cost Of Justice" (2012, June 17) Retrieved May 19, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cost-justice-110712

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cost Of Justice" 17 June 2012. Web.19 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cost-justice-110712>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cost Of Justice", 17 June 2012, Accessed.19 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cost-justice-110712