Final Policy Paper (CJ-400)
The Department of Justice in December 2019, announced charges against 96 people accused of being members or associates of the violent MS-13 street gang in New York. Law enforcement called it the largest takedown of the criminal group in state history. The charges include 77 counts of murder and assault, as well as gang assault, firearm sales and possession and drug trafficking on Long Island (U.S. News, December 20, 2019).
In the past, New York state had invested millions of dollars in efforts to crack down on MS-13 and gang recruitment on Long Island. In October 2018, for example, “Gov. Andrew Cuomo traveled to Brentwood to announce a $20 million fund to combat MS-13 gang violence. Three-quarters of the money was dedicated to building a new community center to provide recreational and educational services for area teens. The rest was for better lighting and security at local parks, workforce training and mental health services for youth, and law enforcement technology. Cuomo said the funding is part of a broader effort to take on gangs like MS-13”. (News 12 Long Island, October 30, 2018)
Assignment:
The office of Gov. Cuomo has invited you to serve as a consultant to critically review their 2018 gang control policy and design a new proposal to more effectively combat MS-13. Please write a critical paper, approximately 7 pages (APA style).
You have as consultants to you all of the theorists we have studied this semester.
Beccaria, Bentham- Free Will- Deterrence Theory
Marx, Quinney, Reiman- Social Conflict Theory
Wilson-Biological Theory
Hirschi, Gottfredsson- Social Control and Self Control Theories
Gluecks, Wolfgang, Sampson and Laub- Developmental and Life Course Theories
Von Hirsch, Fogel- Just Deserts Theory
Martinson, Gilbert, Cullen- Rehabilitation
Zehr, Braitwait- Restorative Justice
Adler, Chesney-Lind, Daly-Feminist Criminology
Welch- Prison Industrial Complex
Clear- Penal Harm, Collateral Consequences
You must address the following:
Examine the main controversies surrounding the gang problem and the NYS 2018 policy initiative to address the issue. Which of the above criminology theorists’ positions from throughout this course would be supported by this policy? Summarize the assumptions of the applicable theories. Which of the above criminology theorists’ positions from throughout this course would be rejected? Why? Summarize their assumptions. (30%)
2. Critically evaluate the Governor’s 2018 policy. What remaining questions do you have? What approaches may have been ignored? What additional theory or approach would you suggest to guide the policy agenda? Summarize the assumptions of these additional theories? (20%)
3. Propose, create, and design an alternative policy suggestion to address the gang problem and its consequences. What other recommendations would you make to advance a solution to this problem? (20%)
4. Find a minimum of 5 peer reviewed research articles. Present the scholarly research and summarize the authors’ main findings. Now convert this into a policy recommendation for the Governor’s office. What are the pros and cons of your policy? (30%)
