Looking at Leadership Through Complexity

Abstract

This paper sought to understand the application of general system theory in the Criminal Justice system in the United States. This corrective and punishing system encompassed different institutions that have to work together to realize the common objective── ensuring that justice is served. However, the complexity of the justice system means that the organization should concentrate on improving its structure. It is necessary that activities in the criminal justice system be well coordinated, and setting up a model that would be effective in addressing the problems that could impede justice in the United States. Based on this, problems have to be addressed as whole, as opposed to concentrating on separate elements of a system. In doing this, it ensures that the system functionality is improved, with the emphasis on meeting the defined goals and objectives. As noted, aligning this model into the goals and objectives could take a long time, meaning that commitment and dedication to the course are essential.

Table of Contents

1 Systems Dynamics (Week 3)

1 Stocks and Flows

2 Feedback Loops

2 Recommendations

3 Supporting Research

Systems Dynamics (Week 3)

It is worth noting that system dynamics is useful in helping to cope with a complex system, through analyzing the interrelation of the flows of information, material, labor, and money. Importantly, the emphasis is placed on accumulation, non-linear relationships, time delays, and the feedback structure. As Gharajedaghi (1999) notes, it is vital to understand the stock and flow dynamics, as it helps in coping effectively with a complex system. It is also important in the planning, as it presents an opportunity to understand if the system available is enough to meet the demands.

Stocks and Flows

In the criminal justice system, the flow is about the number of offenders in the prison. These are individuals that have been found guilty of the charges, and they have to serve the sentence that has been meted –out by the judges. On the contrary, the stock is the number of the offenders in a prison cell (Snipes & Maguire, 2003). They are considered as a stock because they have passed through the trial process, and the jury has deemed it appropriate for them to serve a prison sentence. During this time, it is expected that the prison stay would be effective in the transformation of their behaviors so that they could have acceptable behavior once they get out the correction facility. In other words, the stock has to be rehabilitated by the officers who are part of the larger justice system. On this account, the analyzing of this information is important in making plans in the justice system

In this sense, the complex system is about the interconnected parts, which are important in counter-intuitive behavior. Indeed, the criminal justice system is a good representation of the system. The processing of the criminal cases denotes the stock-and-flow model. As depicted in the model, the cases enter the system in different stages, and then analyzed through a diverse judicial mechanism, based on the resources and productivity rates.

Feedback Loops

In the past, the progressive narrowing of the processing capacity means that the professionals should work hard to meet their obligations. However, it is possible for the professionals to be seen as incompetent. Considering that they are likely to be viewed as incompetent, especially if the final verdict dissatisfies many offenders. On the contrary, failing to close a sufficient number of cases would have an indication that the professionals are incompetent. It is important to note that feedback loops in the criminal justice system can be avoided if the right procedures are followed. In the criminal justice department, it is easier to identify the agents that have not been performing up to the tasks. The number of cases closed in a certain period could determine the competency levels among the professionals . This competency level will be helpful in identifying competent individuals dedicated to meeting the defined organizational objectives (Van Gigch, 1978).

Recommendations

A good understanding of stocks flows, and feedback loops would improve decision making by shedding more light on whether the available resources could accommodate inmates. It is also important in determining the rate of criminal activities in a particular region, as regions with more criminals tend to be insecure compared to areas where the number of people incarcerated is low. In criminal prone regions, the prisons should be large enough to handle a large number of the stock since a high number of convicts could be sent to serve jail terms (Van Gigch, 1978).

Supporting Research

Gharajedaghi, J. (1999). Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Snipes, J. B., & Maguire, E. R. (2003). Understanding criminal justice theory: First steps in forging its future. In D. E. Duffee & E. R. Maguire (Eds.), Criminal justice theory. San Francisco: Wadsworth.

Van Gigch, J. P. (1978). Applied general systems theory (2nd ed.). New York: Harper and Row Publishers.

�You needed to state 3 stocks --- you only provide one --- the number of prisoners in a cell.

�Are the number of prisoners in a cell really a stock? This isn’t very different than what you call the flow.

�Feedback loops are a part of any system, and can’t be elimiminated.

�Isn’t this one of several metrics of effectiveness?