chapter 13 the role of social work in the criminal justice system
DESCRIPTION
In this chapter we look at the four components of the criminal justice system: legislative, law enforcement, judicial, and corrections. Although social workers play some role in all of these, our attention will be directed to the corrections component and social work roles involved in rehabilitationTRANSCRIPT
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Chapter 13:Criminal Justice
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Social Work: A Competency-Oriented Education
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAs)
- Developed 10 “Core Competencies” and 41 Related “Practice Behaviors”
Every student should master the Practice Behaviors and Core Competencies before completing the program
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008
The Textbook –
- “Helping Hands” icons call attention to content that relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies
- “Competency Notes” at the end of the chapter help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies in practical context
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008 (cont’d)
The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed
with the text provides assignable exercises that assist in mastering the Practice Behavior and Competencies
Additional on-line resources can be found at: www.cengage.com/socialwork
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
The criminal justice systemThe criminal justice system in its broadest sense
refers to the means used to enforce those standards
of conduct required to protect individuals and property
and to maintain a sense of justice in the community
EP 2,1.7a, b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Components of the criminal justice system
• Legislative • Law enforcement• Judicial• Corrections
EP 2,1.7a, b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Legislative component: The legislative component deems
certain acts to be criminal
Law enforcement component: The law enforcement component seeks to deter crime and to apprehend and prosecute lawbreakers
Judicial component: The judicial component determines if the laws are valid under our Constitution and prescribes penalties for illegal behavior
Corrections component: The corrections component administers penalties and performs rehabilitative functions
EP 2,1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Criminal courts• Lower criminal courts• Trial courts• Appellate courts
EP 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Corrections options• Probation• Intermediate punishment• Incarceration
EP 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Juvenile delinquencyRefers to a youth who has committed a crime; a
status offense such as truancy, underage drinking,
curfew violation, or running away; or both
EP 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Juvenile justice agencies• Legislatures• Police• Prosecutors• Defense attorneys• Halfway houses• Social service agencies
EP 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Juvenile courtsHave several and often-competing goals:• helping children in need• treating or punishing juveniles who commit
crimes• protecting society from juvenile crime
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Juvenile court process• Intake• Adjudication• Disposition
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Juvenile correctionsCan be divided into community corrections, such as
probation, and institutional corrections
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Juvenile correctional institutions• Foster homes• Shelters• Group homes• Halfway houses• Ranches and camps• Detention centers• Training schools
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Dual system of justice• Every jurisdiction in the United States operates
separate systems for responding to juvenile and
adult criminal behavior• However, recent “get tough” policies have resulted
in upwards of 250,000 youth under the age of 18
being sent to the criminal justice system to be
adjudicated as adults
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Differential treatment of minority youth
in the justice systemMany have addressed the issue of the differential
treatment of minority youth in the juvenile justice
system
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
“Cumulative disadvantage”Overrepresentation of minority youth in the juvenile
justice system tends to accumulate as youth are
processed through the system
EP 2.1.3b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Alternatives to get tough policiespolicies and programs that help juvenile offenders
acquire empathy for those whom they have affected
by their actions and make changes in their lives so
they are less likely to re-offend.
EP 2.1.9b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Alternatives to get tough policies (cont’d)• Prevention in early childhood• School-based prevention• Effective child welfare• Intervening with behaviorally troubled children
EP 2.1.9b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Rehabilitation programs• Reduce further criminal activity• Improve prison management• Help accomplish the mission of humane
punishment• Give prisoners something to do
EP 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Types of rehabilitation programs• Vocational training• Work release• Financial assistance• Prison industries• Treatment
EP 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Crime Prevention• In communities• In schools• In families• In labor markets• By criminal justice agencies after arrest• In places• By police
EP 2.1.9b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Views of Criminal Behavior• Psychological• Social• Economic• Interaction of personal characteristics
and the environment
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7a
.Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Social work and the criminal
justice systemSocial workers most frequently work in juvenile
courts, rehabilitation centers, prisons, and parole
programs
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.9b
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
Social work and law enforcement• Crisis intervention • Victim assistance • Child abuse or sex crimes • Youth crime prevention • School dropout prevention• Drug and alcohol education
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a, 2.1.9b