Policy is very important in the field of criminal justice because it affects everyone through public rules. Policy is a set of guidelines or a group of rules that the government creates to manage how things work in society. It’s a way to make sure everyone is safe, and things are fair. Policies cover various issues like juvenile justice, drug laws, domestic violence, prison overcrowding, school safety, new federal immigration laws, terrorism, and national security.

Let’s break down why policy matters. For example, let’s talk about a school policy. In many schools, there’s a policy about bullying. This policy lays out what is considered bullying, what will happen if someone bullies another person, and how the school will deal with it. This helps create a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Now, going back to criminal justice, policies help address issues like crime and how the justice system handles it. In the 1960s, there was a lot of crime, and society was going through big changes like the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. The government realized that the existing criminal justice system wasn’t effectively dealing with the rising crime rates.

So, in 1967, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice looked into the problem. They suggested new ways of approaching crime, creating programs, changing policies, finding better ways to fund these efforts, and researching the reasons behind crime. By understanding the causes of crime (theory) and using good research, they believed they could come up with effective policies and programs to make things better as noted in figure 2.1.

When discussing crime policies, it is important to understand the difference between “crime prevention” and “crime control.”

Crime Control:

Crime control refers to the actions and measures taken by authorities to manage and reduce crime after it has happened. It’s about responding to criminal activities and enforcing laws to maintain order in society. Police investigations, arrests, trials, and punishments are part of crime control. Think of them as steps taken to handle and address crimes that have already occurred (Lab, 2016).

Crime Prevention:

On the other hand, crime prevention is about stopping crime from happening in the first place. It involves strategies and efforts to avoid or reduce the likelihood of criminal activities. Instead of reacting to crimes, it focuses on proactively making communities safer. Examples of crime prevention include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, educational campaigns, and creating safe spaces for people. It’s taking steps to stop crime before it occurs (Lab, S., 2016).

In simpler terms, crime control deals with responding to and managing crimes that have occurred, while crime prevention focuses on stopping crimes from happening in the first place by creating safer environments and encouraging positive behaviors. Both are important aspects of maintaining a secure and orderly society.

Public policies and laws are rules created by different groups in our society. Some rules are for your school, others for your city or town, and even bigger ones for the whole country.

Micro-Level Policies (Local):

Imagine your town has its own set of rules called ordinances. For instance, the town might decide that smoking is not allowed in the downtown area—a specific rule just for your town.

Macro-Level Policies (Federal/State):

Now, on a bigger scale, there are rules made by the government that apply to the whole country or state. For example, there are laws about the federal criminal justice system. But these national rules can sometimes differ from state rules. Some states may allow the use of marijuana even if it’s against the national rules.

Individual Organization Policies:

Then there are rules made by specific groups or organizations. Picture your school having its own set of rules for students and staff. These rules could include what’s expected of local police officers who work in your town.

So, depending on who makes the rules, they can be super-local—just for your town, or really broad, for the whole country. There are different levels of rule-making happening all around us (Lab et al., 2013).

Licenses and Attributions for Importance of Policy in Criminal Justice

Open Content, Shared Previously

“Importance of Policy in Criminal Justice” is adapted from “4.1. Importance of Policy in Criminal Justice” by Alison S. Burke. Modifications by Roxie Supplee, licensed under CC BY 4.0 include substantial rewriting.

“Fake News Exercise” by Alison S. Burke is adapted from “4.1. Importance of Policy in Criminal Justice” in SOU-CCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, and Shanell Sanchez, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Edited for style, consistency, recency, and brevity; added DEI content.

Figure 2.1. “Theory-Policy-Research Diagram” in “Importance of Policy in Criminal Justice,” SOU-CCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System by Alison S. Burke is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.