CRJ490 Oakland Mental Health Treatment in Correctional Facilities Analysis

Outline for CRJ 490 Final Paper
Section 1. Abstract
The abstract is one paragraph that presents a complete overview of your paper. It is often best to waituntil the very end of the paper-writing process to create your abstract, as it can be compiled usingsentences from your completed draft, especially your “roadmap” paragraph (see below).
Section 2. Introduction
 The introduction is 1-2 pages that presents the overarching issues related to your topic. It shouldpresent background information about your policy, offer some social/political/historical context forexamining this topic, and/or provide justification for your policy analysis. It should not present specificfindings or conclusions.
 The final paragraph of your introduction must be your “roadmap” paragraph. This paragraph lays outsentence-by-sentence exactly what the reader will encounter in your paper: “First, mandatory minimumsentencing is examined in detail”¦”¦” or “The first section of this analysis provides an overview of”¦.”etc.
Section 3. Policy Summary
 The policy summary is 2-3 pages that clearly describes the policy you have selected. This section mustinclude:
o Policy Origins
 When was law passed/program developed/policy initiated? Was it the result offederal/state/local legislation? Grassroots community activism? Case law? Was the policy/program/law initiated in response to an event such as a high-profile crime orsocial problem?)
o Policy Description
 What is your policy? How does it operate?
o Policy Goals
 What were the goals of the policy? What was it intended to do? Reduce recidivism?Increase public safety? Save lives? Deter offenders? How is “success” defined, and howcan researchers measure whether this policy has been successful?
Section 4. Research Justification
 The research justification is 1-2 pages that explains specifically what you want to analyze about yourpolicy, and why. This section must include:
o Statement of the Problem
 What is the important or interesting problem/issue you see with your policy?
o Research Question
 “This analysis answers the following research question:”¦.”
o Statement of Researcher Interest
 Why is this policy interesting? Why is this research question interesting? Why shouldthe reader care?
Section 5. Policy Analysis – Most IMPORTANT part of your paper!
 The policy analysis is 5-6 pages that serves as your literature review. You may organize this section in away that is most meaningful to you, so subject headings may vary somewhat (but you must have subjectheadings!). Regardless of how you choose to organize your analysis, this section must include:
o Theoretical Framework (Part A)
 What criminological theories are useful in analyzing/understanding your policy? Youmust identify at least two theories you have learned about in prior courses (e.g., socialcontrol theory, deterrence theory, labeling, General Strain Theory, etc.) and apply themto your policy.
o Policy Evaluation
 Does your policy work, based on the definition of success you identified above? Whyor why not? What does the empirical research about your policy reveal? Here yourconclusions should be based on empirical evidence – statistics, patterns, trends, data,etc.
o Impact on Community & Society
 Does your policy have specific impact on particular community groups? Women,people of color, adolescents, gays and lesbians, immigrants, convicted felons, policeofficers, veteran/military personnel, urban residents, etc.? If so, what and why? Whobenefits or suffers most from this policy?
Section 6. Discussion & Recommendations
 The discussion & implications is 3-4 pages that offers your conclusions about what you have discoveredduring the course of your research. It must include the following:
o Summary of Policy Analysis
 One paragraph that summarizes the 6-7 pages of your policy analysis above.
o Policy Implications
 What will happen if the status quo with your policy is maintained? What are theforeseeable outcomes in the next five or ten years if current practice continues? Willthere be particular impact on those community groups you outlined previously?
o Policy Recommendations
 Based on your research, what specific policy strategies do you recommend? Whatshould Congress/parole boards/the governor/community groups/policeadministrators/judges/etc.
Section 7. Conclusion
 The conclusion is 1-2 pages that offers your final summarization of your analysis. It should restate thepoints made throughout the paper. It should not raise new arguments or observations not madethroughout the paper.
Section 8. Reference List
 In APA format
Section 9. Researcher Reflection
 The researcher reflection is 1-2 pages that offers your take-away lessons from this project. What haveyou learned? How will you apply this knowledge in your career post-graduation? What surprised you?Did