Evaluating the Role of Punishment and Ethical Decision-Making in Criminal Justice
[WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 2, 3, 4]
Prior to beginning work on this assignment,
- Review Chapters 2 and 7 from your textbook, Criminal Justice Ethics: Theory and Practice.
- Review articles,
- Sentenced to Shame: Moral Injury Exposure in Former Lifers.Links to an external site.
- The Continuum of Moral Harms: Correctional Officers’ Perspectives of Prison and the Influence on Their WellnessLinks to an external site..
Overview
Throughout history, societies have implemented punishment to shape behavior and deter criminal actions. As criminal justice professionals, it is essential to critically analyze the effectiveness, morality, and ethical implications of punishment in shaping behavior within society. For this assignment, you will explore the role of punishment in deterring crime and discuss public issues that criminal justice organizations face regarding ethical decision-making.
Instructions
After reading the assigned textbook chapters, please address the following elements in a well-organized, graduate-level paper. Be sure to support your analysis with relevant examples and cite your sources appropriately.
Assignment Components
In your paper,
- Evaluate the morality of punishment in influencing behavior.
- Discuss the ethical considerations surrounding punishment as a means of behavior modification.
- Consider questions such as: Is punishment inherently moral or immoral? Under what circumstances is punishment justified?
- Define the philosophical theories justifying punishment.
- Identify and describe key philosophical theories that argue for punishment as necessary to establish and reinforce moral behavior.
- Address theories such as retributivism, utilitarianism, and other relevant ethical frameworks that support punishment.
- Outline theories opposing punishment as an effective response.
- Explain theories that critique punishment as an inappropriate or ineffective response to immoral behavior.
- Include perspectives like restorative justice, rehabilitation, and critical criminology, discussing why these theories advocate alternatives to punishment.
- Describe alternatives to punishment in behavior correction.
- Outline and analyze alternative approaches that aim to correct behavior without relying on traditional punitive measures.
- Provide examples such as restorative justice practices, rehabilitation programs, educational initiatives, and other methods that address root causes and support behavioral change.
Evaluation Criteria
Your paper will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Depth of Analysis: Clear and thoughtful evaluation of the morality of punishment and its alternatives.
- Integration of Theories: Demonstrated understanding of both supportive and opposing philosophical theories regarding punishment.
- Evidence and Examples: Use of relevant examples and scholarly sources to substantiate claims.
- Clarity and Organization: Logical flow, coherence, and adherence to assignment instructions.
- APA Formatting: Correct and consistent use of APA formatting for citations, references, and overall structure.
The Evaluating the Role of Punishment and Ethical Decision-Making in Criminal Justice paper
- must be 5 to 7 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft WordLinks to an external site. resource.
- must include a separate title page with the following in title case:
- title of paper in bold font
- Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
- student’s name
- name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
- course name and number
- instructor’s name
- due date
- must utilize academic voice.
- Review the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site. resource for additional guidance.
- must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph.
- Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
- For assistance in writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. and Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.
- must use at least 2 scholarly, peer-reviewed, credible sources in addition to the course text.
must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center