Shifting Away From A Punitive Criminal Justice System

Shifting away from a punitive criminal justice system, problem-solving courts have been criticized as being â€Å"soft† on crime. Offenders follow a personalized treatment plan instead of being sentenced to jail. This alternative allows the courts to address the underlying issues faced by offenders. Many argue by having courts address these underlying issues, it grants offenders an easy out after committing crimes. However, this criticism is unfounded. Problem-solving courts are not â€Å"soft† on crime. This innovation in courts has generated positive results such as lower rates of recidivism, a decrease in low-level crimes, improved street conditions, a raise in accountability, and stronger family relationships (Kaye, 2004). Problem-solving courts were built in response to the large influx of cocaine being distributed and â€Å"broken-window† policing (Kaye, 2004, p.131). With drug and quality-of-life crimes on the rise, courts were overwhelmed and defendants were not given proper attention. Many offenders would be released with no jail time. Those that received treatment or community service programs slipped through the cracks because there was no judicial monitoring (Kaye, 2004). Understanding the importance these crimes have on the community, Midtown Community Court opened in 1993 (Kaye, 2004). This would become the first court whose objective applied the problem-solving approach (Kaye, 2004). The problem-solving approach centers on the concept of restoring the relationship betweenShow MoreRelatedThe Punitive And Rehabilitative Approach As An Indispensable Part Of The Criminal Justice Reform Issue3487 Words   |  14 Pagesincarceration is an indispensable part of the criminal justice reform i ssue. This paper contrasts the punitive and rehabilitative approach as two central areas of offender incarceration. 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