Criminal Justice Theory: Explaining the Nature and Behavior of Criminal Justice

by Maguire; Edward

• ISBN13: 9780415954792
• ISBN10: 0415954797
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-03-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Criminal Justice Theory is the first comprehensive volume on the theoretical foundations of criminal justice. The authors argue that theory in criminal justice is currently underdeveloped and inconsistently applied, especially in comparison to the role of theory in the study of crime itself. In the diverse range of essays included here, the authors and contributors integrate examples from the study of criminal justice systems, judicial decision-making, courtroom communities, and correctional systems, building the argument that students of criminal justice must not evaluate their discipline solely on the basis of the effectiveness of specific measures in reducing the crime rate. Rather, if they hope to improve the system, they must acquire a systematic knowledge of the causes behind the structures, policies, and practices of criminal justice.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. ix
List of Tables	p. xi
Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Criminal Justice Theory	p. 1
The Nature, Method, and Boundaries of Criminal Justice Theory
Foundations of Criminal Justice Theory	p. 27
Durkheim's Comparative Method and Criminal Justice Theory	p. 51
Neglect of Justice in Criminal Justice Theory: Causes, Consequences, and Alternatives	p. 71
Theories of Policing
Explaining Police Organizations	p. 93
Understanding Variety in Urban Community Policing: An Institutional Theory Approach	p. 121
Individual and Community Level Theories of the Courts
Assessing Blameworthiness and Assigning Punishment: Theoretical Perspectives on Judicial Decision Making	p. 155
Courts and Communities: Toward a Theoretical Synthesis	p. 181
Testing Correctional Sector Theories: Two Examples
A Test of a Turnover Intent Model: The Issue of Correctional Staff Satisfaction and Commitment	p. 223
Examining Correctional Resources: A Cross-Sectional Study of the States	p. 257
Conclusion
Directions for Theory and Theorizing in Criminal Justice	p. 291
References	p. 321
About the Contributors	p. 357
Author Index	p. 363
Subject Index	p. 373
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