Module Identifier | LA36320 | ||||||||||||||
Module Title | CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE PENAL SYSTEM | ||||||||||||||
Academic Year | 2003/2004 | ||||||||||||||
Co-ordinator | Miss Katherine S Williams | ||||||||||||||
Semester | Semester 2 | ||||||||||||||
Other staff | Mr Gavin S Dingwall | ||||||||||||||
Pre-Requisite | |||||||||||||||
Co-Requisite | |||||||||||||||
Course delivery | Lecture | 40 Hours One two hour and two one hour lectures per week | |||||||||||||
Seminars / Tutorials | 8 Hours Seminar. Four two hour seminars during the semester | ||||||||||||||
Assessment |
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Professional Exemptions | Not Required for Professional Purposes |
the ability to locate relevant materials and to select information from a range of sources
knowledge and understanding of the law, policies and theories which shape the criminal justice and the penal systems
an understanding of the key concepts of the subject and the methods of evaluating the operation of the system
an understanding of the social background and wider context of criminal justice
the ability to analyse data
a wider experience in the methodology of the social sciences
the ability to engage in rigorous debate and the presentation of logical and balanced argument.
critical study of the effectiveness of law.
The subject is one which invites critical analysis and is well-known generally as a catalyst for controversy and debate. The problem of dealing with crime is a significant issue for most societies and the official response to this problem through the mechanisms of criminal justice and the penal system is an interesting testing ground for argument about the effectiveness of law. The procedures, institutions and agencies of the criminal justice systems are studied in detail and analysed critically. Comparisons are drawn where appropriate with approaches taken in other legal systems and present responses are set in the context of the historical development of policies to deal with crime and delinquency.
Studying this type of subject necessarily entails reference to a wide range of materials within the whole spectrum of law and social science: legislation and case law; empirical research studies; statistical data; policy documents; and works of a theoretical kind based in both social science and moral philosophy. The module therefore has a strong interdisciplinary element which will broaden the experience of the student of law, while making the study of some areas of the legal system accessible to students of other subjects.
Syllabus
1. Theories:
Of criminal justice
Relating to Penal Policy and the Penal System
2. The Phenomenon of Crime
The 'politics' of crime
Establishing the level and patterns of crime: official criminal statistics - alternative methods of establishing the crime rate
Analysing data relating to crime
Theoretical assessment of crime and its occurance
Media perceptions of crime
Sentencing, facts and figures
3. Enforcement and crime control
Crime prevention and multi-agency enforcement
Different methods of policing and enforcement
The allocation of responsibility for crime prevention and enforcement - particular and individual responsibility.
4. The sentencing process and the principles of sentencing
The repertoire of sentences
The choice between custodial and non-custodial measures
The objectives underlying the choice of sentence : punishment, rehabilitation and protection of society
This module is at CQFW Level 6