The Ethical Issues of Criminal Justice Essay

Discussion 1

Considered policies and programs

1. Criminal Justice system: Impact caused by a lengthy criminal justice system on crime suspects

2. Border Control Program: Significance of enhanced boarder control in preventing crime, drug trafficking and counterfeit goods

3. Innocence Program-Suspect Conviction processes: Consequences of wrongful conviction of inmates and measure needed to alleviate wrongful convictions



Impact of relevant political and ethical issues associated with the program evaluation

The criminal justice system has many good but also negative consequences. To the extent that there still are wrongful convictions and the policy makers may have to reevaluate the program with an objective of rethinking the loopholes. Zalman (2006) describes the importance of developing what he terms as an innocence movement. The objective is to litigate matters in the best interest of likely exonerates and promote a research and policy agenda that takes care of innocent convicts. Zalman (2006) proposes a research initiative by scholars in criminal justice aimed at exploring pertinent issues in favour of innocent convicts.



The "innocence program" speaks to the ethical issue of human rights and the right to a fair trial. Subjecting suspects to a lengthy period of waiting and court processes is in effect inflicting pain and curtailing their rights. The emotional and physical pain suspects go through is often not accounted for in the criminal trial system. There are instances where decades have passed before a judgement is issued and in some few instances innocent suspects have ended up behind bars. Zalman (2006) points to the relevance of borrowing models of research from sociology and political science with regard to public policy area of study. This will enhance the understanding of researchers on capacity of integrating reforms in the justice system.



The boarder control program touches on geopolitics and ethical issues surrounding quality of products getting into a country from other partners in international trade. Even with heightened boarder security it is not lost on the government that substandard goods and counterfeit products still find their way into the country. The problem of drug trafficking has also been a thorn in the flesh. A scholarly approach to the border control program and policies might significantly assist in improving effectiveness of such programs.



Reasons for considering each program



1. Criminal Justice program: Even though the criminal justice system has gone through many reforms aimed at improving the expedition of justice there are still misgivings in the time taken to prosecute criminal cases (Crutchfield, 2017). This problem lives unintended negative consequences on the suspects who might be innocent. The issue of human rights and the right to a fair trial are abused due to the delays and apprehension of suspects. A solution to this policy issue needs to be reviewed by scholars in order to explore better ways of expediting justice.



2. Border Control Program: Although there are tight policies and programs put in place with the objective of minimizing entry of drugs, counterfeit goods and criminals through points of entry, there never seems to be a closure on the border control issue. it is clear that tighter policies and programs needs to be put in place with an objective of making it more difficult to smuggles counterfeit goods and drugs and for crime suspects to pass through border…