Criminal Justice Policy Flashcards

Which political philosophy most strongly emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment in criminal justice?

Answer: Libertarian-left

Libertarian-left positions prioritize restoring offenders to society rather than retribution or deterrence.

What is the primary argument against mandatory minimum sentencing from a libertarian perspective?

Answer: It removes judicial discretion and leads to disproportionate sentences

Libertarians argue mandatory minimums strip judges of discretion, resulting in sentences that may not fit individual circumstances.

The 'broken windows' theory of policing holds that:

Answer: Cracking down on minor disorders prevents more serious crime

The broken windows theory posits that visible signs of disorder signal tolerance for crime, encouraging escalation.

Which of the following best describes 'restorative justice'?

Answer: A process focused on repairing harm through cooperation among offender, victim, and community

Restorative justice centers on healing relationships and repairing harm rather than simply punishing the offender.

From an authoritarian-right perspective, what is the primary purpose of incarceration?

Answer: Punishment and deterrence to maintain social order

Authoritarian-right views emphasize law and order, seeing punishment and deterrence as essential to social stability.

What does 'recidivism' measure in criminal justice policy?

Answer: The rate at which released offenders reoffend or return to prison

Recidivism tracks how often individuals return to criminal behavior after release, a key metric for evaluating rehabilitation programs.

Bail reform advocates generally argue that cash bail systems:

Answer: Disproportionately punish low-income defendants who cannot afford pretrial release

Critics of cash bail argue that wealth, not flight risk, determines pretrial freedom, creating an unequal two-tier system.