Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 1

Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System

Brianna Leith

Seton Hill University

Author Note

b.leith@setonhill.edu
Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 2

Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system (CJ) is a large and often vague term used in the media which

has been known to be broken and needs many people to help change it. Media takes control of

the truth and story and twists it into its form of reality, and then people read about the CJ system

and interpret it in different ways. There are many ways to understand the criminal justice system,

yet there is a general definition. The Oxford Languages dictionary defines the criminal justice

system as, the system of law enforcement that is directly involved in apprehending, prosecuting,

defending, sentencing, and punishing people suspected or convicted of criminal offenses

(Oxford, n.d.). This definition has many sections, so this discussion understands the CJ system in

terms of restorative justice, and the Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is valuable. The CJ system is

unarguably a system of law enforcement involved in many aspects of people suspected or

convicted of crimes. However, there are a few missing parts in the definition, such as the CJ

system's involvement in the lives of those impacted by crime, restorative justice, and catholic

social teaching.

The CJ system does not only affect people suspected or convicted of criminal offenses.

The other people impacted by crime include the victims, survivors, and the people hurt by a

person's actions. The current Oxford Language definition does not include these aspects of the

criminal justice system which is a vital part of crime and how the CJ system responds. People

that have been hurt rely on the CJ system to represent them in a case, and other people indirectly

harmed are not represented in cases. These are two simple examples of people involved in the CJ

system that are overlooked and need support from the CJ system. This does not mean that there

is no support for the people harmed; there is support for them. There are multiple organizations,
Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 3

services, and resources that protect and serve people harmed by another persons' actions. These

support systems are also a part of the CJ system. They are serving people impacted by criminal

actions, and they deserve to be represented, in the understanding of the CJ system.

Organizations, services, and resources supporting people harmed by crime are the founding

reasons for the CJ system. The CJ system was developed based on the experiences of people

harmed by crime and wanted ways to prevent more people from committing the same actions

over again because they were impacted or harmed by their actions. This stems from the golden

rule saying 'treat others how you want to be treated' when this is broken, there are consequences.

The consequences should be given through the CJ system. This derails into an entirely different

discussion however, it is important to understand that this is the founding principle of the CJ

system.

People harmed by crime can turn to restorative justice practices included in the CJ system

in some areas. Restorative justice is practiced in many parts of the world and can be used, in

various ways. Simply, restorative justice holds people accountable, repairs harm, and rebuilds

relationships and or communities. Many authors have discussed this understanding of restorative

justice and how it applies to the CJ system. Karp is an author who applies restorative justice to

people harmed by crime at colleges and universities. This is a specific area where crime occurs,

and people are harmed; through accountability and open communication, people can repair harm

and rebuild their relationships (Karp, 2015). Restorative practices in many situations are used

instead of pressing charades against a person and getting more involved in the CJ system. There

are many aspects of the CJ system, and restorative justice is an outer aspect that can address

minor offenses or repair areas in which the person harmed and the person harming are willing to
Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 4

heal and work together. Restorative justice can address specific areas of crime so that the CJ

system doesn't need to get more involved in the process. However, restorative justice doesn't

eliminate the CJ system, only lessens its role in the situation. The CJ system addresses situations

by allowing restorative practices to be used; to effectively take care of crime. Restorative justice

is not used in every situation, but; it can apply to numerous cases. The Oxford Language

definition of the CJ system also does not include the restorative justice practices commonly used

in situations. Another aspect of the CJ system that is overlooked and should be considered an

essential part of the system, newer yet growing fast around the world. Restorative justice is

applied in many places around the world, and at the beginning of this course, other countries’

views were studied.

Another aspect of the CJ system that is often overlooked, is the integration of Catholic

Social Teaching (CST) principles. There are many principles within the CST; a couple of

important ones include the life and dignity of all people and solidarity (CST, 2017). These

principles connect all people, and the CJ system is filled with connections between the various

parts of laws and policies. The CJ system represents all different types of people no matter their

differences, which directly expresses the solidarity principle. However, there are issues among

diversity and labeling of certain ethnicities and religious practices in the American CJ system.

Racism and oppression of specific groups of people are still remarkably prevalent in the CJ

system. People are labeled as dangerous or criminals without people knowing who a person is.

CST principles highlight the importance of understanding that no matter a person’s differences;

their lives are sacred, and they deserve dignity and respect from all people (CST, 2017). The CJ

system often lacks the application of CST principles to practice. Unlike restorative justice that
Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 5

effectively applies CST principles into practice. The application of CST principles is

challenging; however, the CJ system already understands the CST principles through many of

the laws that founded the country. There are also numerous errors in the founding laws of

America which could explain the CJ system's struggle to apply CST principles even through its

heavily understood implications to improve systems, communities, and relationships. The CST

principles are not often practiced, in laws and policies such as the life and dignity of all people.

The CJ system exemplifies people deemed criminal and worthless instead of helping them and

showing them respect. They are punished and disregarded. The people who have harmed others

often admit they were wrong but, since the system labels people, they assume it's right and live

out the label they were given.

The criminal justice system is broadly misunderstood and misrepresented in the media.

There is a general definition and explanation of the CJ system, but it excludes significant aspects

of the CJ system. The people harmed by crime, restorative justice practices, and CST principles

are excluded, in the general representation of the CJ system. These aspects are significant to

understand as they lay the groundwork for the outcomes of the CJ system and inform the people

involved; connected the situations. Without people who have been harmed coming forward, there

would be no CJ system. Without restorative justice practices, there would be an increase in

reported crime in specific areas. Without CST principles people are mistreated and inaccurately

represented in situations. There are many faults to the CJ system and how people understand its

role in society. The CJ system often works to improve communities and relationships however, it

is hard to see through its errors and misunderstanding of crime in the media. There are many

cases where people are not held accountable, harm is increased, and relationships are not rebuilt.
Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 6

These situations are put in the media for general public people to watch, read, and learn from,

showing them the CJ system is broken and does not work. There are many areas for

improvement, but it may not be as drastic as it is portrayed in the media since it does have

potential and groundwork laid for growth in the right direction.

Critical Analysis Paper 4: Criminal Justice System 7

References

Catholic social teaching. Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services of

Western Washington. (2017, April 24). Retrieved September 25, 2021, from

https://ccsww.org/about-us/catholic-social-teaching/.

Karp, D. R., (2015). The little book of restorative justice for colleges and universities: Repairing

harm and rebuilding trust in response to student misconduct. Skyhorse.

Oxford languages and google - english. Oxford Languages. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2021,

from https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/.