NCJ Number
222569
Journal
Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law and Society Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 61-77
Date Published
March 2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the significance of higher education in developing critical and creative thinking skills within the specific context of criminal justice education and proposes a developmental continuum that begins with identifying the significance of higher education to prepare graduates to make decisions as both citizens and leaders.
Abstract
It is argued that the literature identifies that leadership principles are an integral part of a liberal education. Academics have an implicit and explicit responsibility to actively engage students in an examination of the principles and acquisition of skills needed for them to be effective leaders within the criminal justice system. Criminal justice programs have an obligation to provide students with skills that include, but are not limited to the skills of logic, systematic reasoning, and analysis of thought as well as philosophical input that encourages personal reflection. Leadership courses provide an effective and efficient means by which criminal justice programs can specifically address the development of leadership and management skills that underpin societal expectations of the community being served. It is therefore incumbent upon criminal justice and other educators to develop the future leaders through a liberal arts program. Justice delivery in criminal law systems depends on the quality of the decisions of its members, requiring fair and equitable delivery of justice as the central goal. Criminal justice educators need to develop their students into persons who are capable of making these decisions which requires knowledge and skills and leads to effective leadership and management. Notes, references