Discussion 2: Policy Project Check-In
Professionals in the field of criminal justice with expertise in research may have opportunities to make policy recommendations that can facilitate valuable changes to criminal justice policy and practice. To ensure that their recommendations have the most beneficial impact possible, criminal justice professionals and policymakers can evaluate a number of evidence-based alternatives. However, even after professionals and policymakers have carefully weighed alternatives to make recommendations they are likely to receive both positive and negative feedback and suggestions. Experienced professionals may improve even a solid recommendation through engaging in collegial dialogue and making revisions based upon feedback. This week, you gain valuable experience making a policy recommendation and engaging in such dialogue.

For this Discussion, review the Policy Project Overview and provide the highlights of your research findings conducted to date on your selected topic and post your preliminary policy recommendation.

Post the status of your Policy Project. Based on your research and/or evaluation of the research, provide your preliminary policy recommendation. Post one question or issue you are encountering related to your preliminary research findings.

Required Resources
Readings
Wilson, J. Q., & Petersilia, J. (2011). Crime and public policy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Chapter 12, “Sex Offenders and Sex Offender Policy” (pp. 345–367)

This chapter offers an overview of the behavior of sexual offenders and policies related to sexual offenses and explores the connection between the two. It presents a common rationale used to distinguish sex offenders from other criminals, explores whether research supports this rationale, and provides data on the methods by which sex offenders commit crimes. The chapter closes by addressing the impact of sex offender policies on sex crime and highlights effective efforts to reduce such crime.
Bardach, E., Patashnik, E. M.  (2016). A practical guide for policy analysis: The eightfold path to more effective problem solving (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: CQ Press.
Part 1, “The Eightfold Path” (pp. 18-27 only)

Review the section, “Step Three: Construct the Alternatives,” as you finalize your Policy Project.
Human Rights Watch. (2013). Raised on the registry: The irreparable harm of placing children on sex offender registries in the U.S. Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0513_ForUpload_1.pdf

The report argues for revision of U.S. policy for youth sex offenders. It highlights current policies regarding youth sex offenders, misconceptions on which current policies are based, and the negative impact of current policies regarding youth sex offenders and their families. The report closes with recommendations for revisions to current policies.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. (n.d.). Dru Sjodin national sex offender registry. Retrieved from http://www.nsopr.gov/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

This website provides sex offender registry data by state as well as additional research and data on U.S. sexual offenses and related policy.
Document: Policy Project Overview (PDF)

This document provides an overview of the Policy Project along with detailed requirements for each phase.