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 create a report to share with the group. Create 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:
A 1,400- to 1,750 report evaluating a program related to a public policy in your area.