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SAGE Journal User Guide

Stolz, B. A.,  (March 2014). The Growth of Federal Criminal Justice Policy Making: The Role of U.S. Civil Rights Legislation. Criminal Justice Policy Review. 1-25.

http://cjp.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/03/17/0887403414523648.full.pdf+html

This article discusses the three authorities that are generally used by Congress to expand the federal criminal justice role and the use of federal responsibility to protect the constitutional and statutory rights of citizens to expand this role. The author’s analysis contributes to the understanding of how laws have expanded the criminal justice systems role.

1. How has the federal governments role in the area of criminal justice evolved?
2. What do the authors mean when they say that criminal laws are both instrumental and expressive?
3. Explain the symbolic politics framework.

Learning Objective(s): Know the distinction between federal and state legislation

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Silva, S. M. (November 2014). Determinants of State Innovations in American Sentencing and Corrections Policy: A Systematic Review. Criminal Justice Policy Review. 1-21.

http://cjp.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/11/04/0887403414556645.full.pdf+html

This article discusses state policy decisions and how these decisions have determined how justice is administered. The authors find that sentencing and corrections policies are less likely to be predicted by crime rates than by certain economic, political, and social variables.

1. How does policy innovation at the state level vary?
2. Discuss the effect of political culture on criminal justice policy.
3. What is the relationship between corrections spending and policy?

Learning Objective(s): Know the distinction between federal and state legislation