NCJ Number
51331
Date Published
1974
Length
28 pages
Annotation
A CLASSROOM EXERCISE IN WHICH STUDENTS ASSUME CRIMINAL JUSTICE ROLES AND SIMULATE THE OPERATIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED IN A MANUAL DESIGNED TO ENABLE INSTRUCTORS TO CARRY OUT THE EXERCISE.
Abstract
THE JUSTICE GAME HAS SEVERAL OBJECTIVES: INFORMING STUDENTS ABOUT THE WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; COMMUNICATING A SENSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SYSTEM; PROVIDING INSIGHT INTO THE EFFECTS OF EXTRALEGAL VARIABLES ON THE OUTCOME OF THE LEGAL PROCESS; DEMONSTRATING THE CONFLICTS, CROSS-PRESSURES, AND FRUSTRATIONS EXPERIENCED BY CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS; SENSITIZING STUDENTS TO THE DANGERS OF ALIENATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM; ILLUSTRATING THE IMPACT OF TIME AND DELAY; POINTING OUT DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE IDEAL SYSTEM AND REALITY; EMPHASIZING THE COST CONSEQUENCES OF EVERY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DECISIONS; AND URGING STUDENTS TO REEXAMINE THEIR ATTITUDES ABOUT THE LAW. IN THE EXERCISE, STUDENTS ARE ASSIGNED TO ONE OF NINE ROLES: CONTROL (CRIME INITIATORS, WHO ENTER CASES INTO THE SYSTEM, AND TAX COLLECTORS, WHO KEEP TRACK OF SYSTEM EXPENDITURES); POLICE; PUBLIC; COURT; SUSPECTS; PUBLIC DEFENDER; PRIVATE ATTORNEY; PROSECUTOR; AND CORRECTIONS. PLAYERS PROCESS A NUMBER OF CASES, EACH REPRESENTING DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, THROUGH THE SIMULATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL INCLUDES AN OVERVIEW THE GAME, PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING THE SIMULATION, TOPICS FOR CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS AFTER THE EXERCISE, AND VARIATIONS OF THE GAME. FOR THE JUSTICE GAME, SEE NCJ-15032. (LKM)