Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice and Implications for Human Services

Choose one of the following questions to discuss. You should not discuss both questions, but should respond to peers for both.

Legalizing marijuana is a controversial topic in human services, criminal justice, political arenas, and health arenas. From a human service policy perspective, analyze what you believe would be the positive and/or negative consequences of legalizing marijuana. Discuss the implications for human services providers. If you agree or disagree with the stance of your peers, then explain specifically why and provide substantial evidence in your peer responses.

OR

Sexually violent predators are among the most feared and the most ridiculed individuals in our society. Some states have enacted legislation to allow civil commitment of sexually violent predators once they have been released from prison. Discuss the pros and cons of this legislation. Include in your discussion the implications for human services providers.

Resources

Required Text

Herzberg, J. T. (2015). Foundations in human services practice: A generalist perspective on individual, agency, and community. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson. ISBN: 9780205858255; eISBN: 9780205982233
Chapter 2: Case Management: A Human Services Practice

Karger, H. J. & Stoesz , D. (2018). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (8th ed). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson. ISBN: 9780134628127; eISBN: 9780134543468
Chapter 14: Criminal Justice

Recommended References

Alleyne, J. E., Joshi, K. G., & Gehle, M. E. (2016). Expert witness testimony in civil commitment hearings for sexually dangerous individuals. Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychiatry And The Law, 44(2), 265-267.

Graham, L. (2015). Legalizing marijuana in the shadows of international law: The Uruguay, Colorado, and Washington models. Wisconsin International Law Journal, 33(1), 140-166.    

Lieb, R. & Matson, S. (1998). Sexual predator commitment laws in the United States: 1998 update. Retrieved from http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/sexcomm_98.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Rowse, P. (2016). Legalizing marijuana: Promises and pitfalls. School Library Journal, 03628930, Vol. 62, Issue 8.

Wrighten, S. A., Al-Barwani, M. B., Moran, R. R., McKee, G. R., & Dwyer, R. G. (2015). Sexually violent predators and civil commitment: is selection evidence based? Journal Of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 26(5), 652-666