Governing Criminal Justice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

How effective are criminal justice interventions in changing individual behaviour, reducing opportunities for crime, and increasing public safety? Why is there so much emphasis by government on the impact of criminal justice programs, and how does this affect the design and funding of criminal justice programs? What does this focus on effectiveness mean for research and evaluation priorities and methods? This subject examines the research evidence about the effectiveness and impacts of selected policies, the policy framework that determines what kind of interventions are selected by government, and the research methodologies of criminal justice program evaluation. Case studies include home detention, juvenile diversion and conferencing, offender mentoring, drug treatment, release support programs, and crime prevention programs. In addition, the course will examine professional and political issues about the role and application of evaluations in criminal justice. The program will include guest lectures from people involved in delivering or evaluating criminal justice programs. As part of the program students will undertake group work to design an evaluation study.

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;
• have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications;
• have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.

This subject was previously available as 191-436 What Works in Criminal Justice. Students who have completed 191-436 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This is a methods subject. The subject dates and HECS/course fee census date for this subject change each year. Check your enrolment record for the correct census date for this subject.