For this essay, Id like you to consider some aspect of juvenile delinquency or juvenile justice that has been challenged by the pandemic, do some research, try to connect, and apply research to practice. I want you to have the flexibility to choose your own specific topic (as it relates to juvenile justice and COVID-19), but I will provide some ideas and guidelines.
1. How does the pandemic impact how police officers do their jobs? How should it be?
2. What do the changes mean for the way we normally do business? (in other words, if we are refraining from arresting nonviolent offenders during the pandemic, what does that mean about the importance of arresting and incarcerating nonviolent offenders when there is not a pandemic?). How can police protect themselves?
3. What are institutionsdetention centers and training schoolsdoing to prevent and contain the spread of the virus? 4. What should they do? (many have released non-violent offenders with less than 3-6 months left to serve). What about bringing new offenders and visitors into facilities? Think about the importance of visitation with family/loved ones, especially for children.
5. How are other countries juvenile justice systems handling these issues?
6. How does it impact court operations? (video conferencing etc.) and what are the implications for due process, etc.?
7. How do the economic consequences (e.g., food insecurity) impact risk for youth?
8. How does the interruption to educational delivery impact risk and opportunity for youth? (e.g., supervision). What about students who have IEP’s?
9. How will it impact correctional supervision (probation and parole)?
Remember that you are on the front lines of thinking about this. This pandemic is changing the way the criminal/juvenile justice systems operate (and will continue to) for years to come, but how? What are the consequences and implications, both positive and negative?
As you structure and organize your paper, be sure to consider including the following (if appropriate):
a. An Introduction: Overview of the issue/define the problem/challenges in the setting that you choose
b. Any past situations or approaches to information handling the problem/issue (e.g., policies and practices that are used/have been used/should be used, etc.)
c. Is there any research (perhaps in another field, from another country, on another related issue) that can provide guidance about the way we should address the problem?
d. What is the path forward for the juvenile justice system (or related system, such as school/mental health) and the way we prevent/respond to delinquency?
e. What do you recommend, based on your knowledge gained in this class (and others)? Apply your expertise from course material and discussion (statistics, theories, research)
