Crime Control:

Due process is very interesting, it brings a lot of tension do to two different perspectives on the matter. “On one hand there is a serious interest in this country in controlling crime, doing whatever it takes to keep criminals off the streets. On the other hand, because of our democratic system of government, we value peoples rights and become angry when these rights are compromised or threatened.” (pg: 26) Herbert Packer, a Stanford University law professor, was the individual who constructed two models, the crime control model and the due process model, to represent the two competing systems of values operating within criminal justice. The tension between the two accounts for the conflict and disharmony that now is observable in the criminal justice system. To Proclaim that one of these models is superior to the other requires one to make a value judgment. The crime control model reflects conservative values, while the due process model reflects liberal values. During the politically liberal 1960s, the principles and policies of due process predominated in criminal justice. From the mid 1970s, to the early twenty-first century, conservatism has held sway as the dominant political philosophy, and conservatives have formulated criminal justice policies in the image of the crime control model. I wouldn’t say that the Justice System as a whole is disorganized, however I personally believe there are areas in the justice system that need to be revitalized.

One major issue in the system, is miscommunication between the departments and prosecutors. Without paper communication it can result in cases being rejected for prosecution. “The disconnection between the various agencies that are responsible for treatment and reintegration of offenders could cause more harm than good”. (pg: 29) One major question that has been around for quite some time, either through the media, the citizens or the justice system itself. Does hiring more police officers reduce crime? Well, the answer doesn’t seem all that different even when factual data isn’t involved. People do notice when there are a greater presence of officers patrolling an area. They can also notice that crime seems to be the same even when a higher presence is known. They are correct, data has shown that in the 1990s, 100,000 police officers were hired, Clinton’s violent crime act of 1994. (pg: 48–49) in retrospect, there were never a decrease in criminal behavior due to increased number of officers. No matter your view on the matter, research has proven that it doesn’t do much at all. For example “Kansas City prevention patrol experiment conducted during 1972 and 1973. What this experiment did was to divide the South patrol district of Kansas City into three groups. The proactive beats received two to three times the normal level of patrol. The reactive beats received no patrol, only responses to calls for service. Interesting enough the experiment found that the level of patrol had no effect on crime that are suppressible by patrol. Public safety neither improved nor decreased in any of the three beats”. (pg: 51)