Branstetter
During the course I have learned that the three major sub-systems within the criminal
justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and the correctional system, in relation to the
Biblical Principles provided, are all necessary in everyday life. To start off, law enforcement is
necessary in order to enforce the law. Without our police officers there would be more hate and
evil in the world than there currently is. People would get away with anything, which is not what
God intended. For “all crimes are sin, but not all sins are crimes,” meaning that God considers
all crimes a sin which should have a law behind the crime in order to punish the person who did
the crime and prevent the crime from continuing to happen (Fischer, 2016, slide 21).
After an arrest a person may have to go to court where a punishment is decided. The
courts make the tough decision on what type of punishment the accused will face or if the crime
committed was actually their fault. According to the textbook, “courts have provided the primary
means of challenging the nature of inmate confinement and changing the policies and procedures
used in both federal and state correctional facilities” (Hendrix, 2013, p. 321). Everyone within
the court system works as a team in order to make sure justice is served. As Fischer stated,
“mutual accountability refers to treating others as you want to be treated or loving your neighbor
as you love yourself” (Fischer, 2016, slide 15). The mutual accountability shared within the
court system allows for community safety and justice being served fairly.
Finally, the correctional system is where some accused find themselves depending on
their trial. The correctional system is necessary for keeping all criminals off the streets and away
from those whom they have hurt. In addition, the correction system was intended to help
criminals learn that what they did was wrong and keep them from doing the crime, or any crime,
again. Unfortunately, not all criminals come out of the correctional system as repented sinners.
This can be due to a heart issue or from the treatment received within the correctional system.
2
Branstetter
For some inmates are treated as objects instead of human beings. Correctional officers need to
keep in mind that the inmates are just as much image bearers of Christ as anyone else cause as
Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Holman Study
Bible: NKJV Edition).
My original perception towards these three sub-systems has only changed slightly since
beginning the course. Before this course I had already begun learning about these three sub-
systems, but the course helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the sub-systems. Now I
am able to know what it would be like to work in these sub-systems and know the importance of
each.
Yes, I believe my perceptions are based on truth. My perceptions are founded upon the
textbook readings and the Bible. For God has told us through chapter 13 of Romans 13 that law
and order is necessary and must be obeyed. We are ruled by God, but still “must obey the
government rulers” (Romans 13:1, Holman Study Bible: NKJV Edition). It is important to have
our perceptions and beliefs based on truth for God is truth and we want to be like Him so our
thoughts and convictions should be based on truth. If our perceptions and beliefs are not based
on truth, we will lead others down a dark path and not become all that God intended for us to
become. Plus, as Christians we cannot be properly spreading the gospel without having our
perceptions and beliefs being based on truth.
3
Branstetter
References
Blum, E., and Royal, J. Howard. (2015). Holman study bible: NKJV edition. Nashville, TN:
Holman Bible.
Fischer, K. (2016). Biblical Principles of Government and Criminal Justice
(PowerPoint Slides). Retrived from https://prezi.com/rdo7e91mruov/biblical-principles/?
utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy#
Hendrix, N. & Inciardi, J. (2013). Experience criminal justice – with access (Custom
ed.). Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill Custom.
4
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
