Criminal Justice System Concepts

The lecture explores the philosophical origins of American corrections, focusing on the four components of the Criminal Justice System: law, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. It delves into the differences between institutional and community corrections, highlighting the influence of Enlightenment thinker Cesar Beccaria. Beccaria's ideas on free will and deterrence form the basis of the classical school of criminology, emphasizing punishment as a deterrent. The lecture also discusses modern corrections, balancing punishment with rehabilitative and restorative strategies.

What are the four main components of the Criminal Justice System in the United States?

• Law, law enforcement, education, and corrections

• Law, education, courts, and corrections

• Law, law enforcement, courts, and education

• Law, law enforcement, courts, and corrections

What is the primary focus of institutional corrections?

• Enforcement of law and order

• Supervision of sentencing in the community

• Management of secure facilities like jails and prisons

• Rehabilitation of offenders

Who was Cesare Beccaria and what was his contribution to the justice system?

• An Enlightenment thinker who wrote about economic theories

• A political leader who reformed the education system

• A philosopher who influenced the justice system with his essay on crimes and punishments

• A scientist known for his work on human behavior

What is the classical school of criminology based on?

• The belief that human behavior is determined by genetics

• The concept that crime is a result of social inequality

• The idea that punishment should be avoided

• The belief in free will and rational decision-making

How does specific deterrence aim to prevent crime?

• By providing financial incentives to law-abiding citizens

• By educating the public about laws

• By punishing an individual to prevent them from reoffending

• By increasing the number of law enforcement officers

What is the main idea behind general deterrence?

• Reducing the number of laws

• Punishing one person to deter others from committing crimes

• Increasing the severity of punishments

• Providing rehabilitation to offenders

According to Beccaria, what are the three conditions for punishment to be an effective deterrent?

• Lenient, understanding, and compassionate

• Public, transparent, and consistent

• Fair, just, and reasonable

• Swift, certain, and severe

What is a key factor in the effectiveness of punishment according to modern research?

• Public opinion on the punishment

• Length of the trial process

• Certainty of being caught

• Severity of the punishment

What is the role of rehabilitative and restorative strategies in modern corrections?

• To focus solely on retribution

• To provide care and support to offenders

• To increase the severity of punishments

• To eliminate the need for law enforcement

How has the role of corrections evolved in the United States?

• It focuses only on community supervision

• It now includes both enforcement of sanctions and provision of support services

• It has become solely punitive

• It has eliminated the need for prisons