Assignment Task:
Criminal justice professionals in every branch of the system regularly evaluate the success of programs related to public policies. Agency administrators and their departments rely on accurate research and data analysis to make decisions to improve programs effectively according to current trends. Individuals who are skilled at finding and interpreting relevant information and writing reports to share with a group can serve as positive change agents in the criminal justice system at any level.
Imagine you are serving on an advisory committee with criminal justice professionals from multiple branches of the system. The committee plans to discuss trends and programs at an upcoming public policy meeting and has asked you to prepare a report to share with the group. Prepare the following for this assessment:
1. Select an example of a program relevant to a community in your area that is affected by the criminal justice system. Research recent trends and decisions related to the program you selected.
2. Identify an example of a current public policy related to this program. The example can be of a policy that already exists or a proposal that has the potential to become policy.
3. Investigate contributions to the program. Interpret the pros and cons of public policy decisions related to the program as they apply at the level of your local agency or in your community.
4. Note key information from your review of current research on the policy and program you selected to prepare to write annotations.
Assessment Deliverable:
Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word report evaluating a program related to a public policy in your area. Your report should include the following information with supportive evidence from your research and the following sections and subheadings:
Policy and Program Overview:
Summarize the public policy and program you selected. Explain the connection between the program and the public policy.
Literature Review Annotated Bibliography:
Create an annotated bibliography consisting of at least 3 scholarly and peer-reviewed resources related to the selected public policy and program. Evaluate the data from your research to identify trends or decisions related to the public policy and program you selected. Summarize your findings.
Policy and Program Analysis:
Interpret the public policy using criminal justice theory. Explain how criminal justice theories have informed this policy.
Explain how effective the program has been at achieving its goals. Compare similar programs and trends at the state and federal levels.
Recommendations for Public Policy:
Recommend how agencies in your area could apply public policy to improve justice and the efficacy of the program.