Chapter 6.2 The Criminal Justice System
(I) Canada: A Formal System
Law enforcements: protect society, prevent crime, arrest criminals
The court: adversarial system (compete to win the case); ensure fair trial
Correctional agencies: punishment (retribution and general, specific deterrence), rehabilitation (reform and improve offender), protect the public temporarily
(II) Informal Systems
In some cultures, such systems are used because they tend to prioritize harmonious community relations.
Read case study on page 160 to 161.
(III) Issues in the Canadian Criminal Justice
The Power of the Police: Factors that influence actions
- How serious the police perceives the situation to be
- What the police believe victim wants
-The amount of co-operation the suspect offers
- The police's history with the suspect
- The presence of bystanders
- Racial factors
The Number of Prisons
- the large operational costs
Rehabilitation or Radical Reform Debate
- Read the works of Hirschi on page 165 (note the intervention of young people's lives before they break the law AND self-control education in childhood)
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Read p.157 to p.167 and answer the following questions:
(1) Why is the Criminal Justice System a social institution? Why is it one of the larger and more expensive ones?
(2) Explain the difference between general deterrence and specific deterrence
(3) In your opinion, should we be expanding our rehab programs and not spend so much on prisons?
(4) What are the advantages and disadvantages of formal and informal systems?