Sensible Policies on Crime Class 1

Administrative I have my grade book so I can tell you which quizzes you missed and on which you did poorly Office Hours Monday 10-11:30, 1:30-3:00 Tuesday 2:00-3:30 Thursday 10-11 Final Exam – Thursday 5/9, noon-2:30, SCA 100

Review Crime as a social construct Crime and Criminal Justice in U.S. History Reality and Myths of Various Crime Issues Missing Children Serial Killers and Stalkers Organized Crime Drugs White Collar and Corporate Crime

Review Realities and Myths of the Criminal Justice System Police and Police Work The Courts and Criminal trials The Corrections System Government and Media as creators and spreaders of crime stereotypes There are policies that work and we can have a more effective criminal justice system

Today – Turning What We Know into Sensible Policy The Law The Police The Courts The Corrections System Other Policies to Reduce Crime The Politics of Criminal Justice Reform Key Ideas from Today’s Class

I. The Law What laws and changes in the law are unlikely to be successful at reducing crime? Why? What laws and changes in the law are more likely to be successful at reducing crime? Why?

II. The Police What uses of police forces and police tactics are unlikely to reduce crime? Why? What uses of police forces and police tactics are more likely to reduce crime? Why?

III. The Courts What kinds of behavior or changes in behavior by courts are unlikely to reduce crime? Why? What kinds of behavior or changes in behavior by courts are more likely to reduce crime? Why? How about the conviction of suspects who are not guilty?

IV. The Corrections System What kinds of corrections systems and changes in corrections systems are unlikely to reduce crime? Why? What kinds of corrections systems and changes in corrections systems are more likely to reduce crime? Why?

V. Other Policies to Reduce Crime More emphasis on corporate crime and less on street crime Dealing with drugs very differently, as a health and educational problem Effective crime control requires emphasis on communities

V. Other Policies to Reduce Crime Programs to enhance successful re-entry of the convicted Job training and placement Housing assistance Social support and social services Right to vote No one “magic bullet”

VI. The Politics of Criminal Justice Reform Lack of a constituency for criminal justice reform No one runs on platform of a kinder, gentler criminal justice system President Obama began to make some modest reforms within his authority

VII: Key Ideas from Today’s Class More criminal law is not always the answer Law enforcement can be more effective by using community-based policing models Courts can be more effective by reforming bail and engaging more in restorative justice and changing the way the poor get attorneys Corrections can be more effective by focusing on re-entry rather than custody

VII. Key Ideas from Today’s Class Policies that focus on corporate crime could make us safer and healthier Policies that make it harder for criminals to get guns can make us safer We know many things that can help if we have the political will to do them

Next Time Discuss Final Exam Answer Questions Course Evaluation