Capstone Experience in Criminal Justice Program
Introduction
My experience in the criminal justice program has been intriguing, and I have learned a lot about the field. My interest in criminal justice has always been piqued, and this program has exceeded my expectations and kept to its commitment to impart knowledge. My experience in the criminal justice program has improved me as a professional, and I am now more equipped to make socially, morally, and ethically sound criminal justice judgments.
Throughout my schooling, I had to face several challenges. This essay will reflect on the capstone experience, the feedback, and how the skills and knowledge I gained increased my value and marketability in my profession. It will also discuss how the capstone experience affected my perspective on criminal justice and made me a more informed member of the criminal justice community.
Capstone Experience
My capstone experience allowed me to integrate and apply all the knowledge and skills I earned during my academic career. Because of this experience, I exhibited my competence in criminal justice and professional proficiency. I spent several hours researching, analyzing, and synthesizing material to produce a detailed final assignment accurately reflecting my academic and professional abilities (Giuliano et al., 2019). My capstone project’s success was ultimately due to my endurance in facing several hurdles, including when I felt hesitant or skeptical. However, it was a success due to the help and assistance from my lecturers and classmates for advice and assistance.
Feedback
I first hesitated to share my work with others when developing my ePortfolio due to fear of criticism. Still, the feedback I received from my lecturers and classmates assisted me in improving my work. Their input helped me see my work in a new light and examine areas I may have overlooked. The most valuable comment was connected to juvenile delinquency concerns.
The feedback provided me with new thoughts and views that helped me improve the quality of my work. By studying and adopting this criticism, I could effectively address the concerns and convey my views more convincingly in my ePortfolio (Giuliano et al., 2019). Overall, the criticism I got was critical in helping me build a top-notch ePortfolio that successfully communicates my knowledge and talents.
Skills and Knowledge Gained in the Criminal Justice Program
My knowledge and skills from the Criminal Justice Capstone program have significantly increased my value and marketability in the criminal justice field. In value, I now have a thorough grasp of the criminal justice system and its many parts, owing to the program’s extensive courses that have also helped me become more skilled in my industry. My research and data assessment abilities, which are crucial for my future career in criminal justice, have also improved thanks to the training. (Khamidovna, 2020). As a result, I can undertake any research project under the criminal justice system, hence the marketability.
Consequently, Criminal Justice E-Portfolio is one of the courses that has helped expand my knowledge and promote my marketability. I can now successfully use this knowledge to prevent crime. I better understand how the criminal justice system functions and the institutional processes used for criminal accusations. Another crucial skill I have gained from this course is understanding the ethical considerations that impact criminal justice choices (Mayeux, 2018). As a member of the criminal justice system, having this knowledge will help me make morally sound judgments as I can represent members of society to ensure justice is served.
From Theory to Practice: My Capstone Journey
Although demanding, the Criminal Justice Capstone program has been rewarding. I have had the chance to use the information and abilities I have acquired during the program in actual circumstances owing to the program. My capacity to gather research and evaluate data to address a particular issue in the criminal justice system was tested for the capstone project. Constructive were the comments I got while preparing and polishing the materials for my ePortfolio (Khamidovna, 2020).
Thanks to the input, I improved my work’s quality and pinpointed areas that needed development. Owing to the comments, I could stay on task and provide the best caliber of work. I encountered unanticipated issues and challenges while working on the capstone assignment. However, I overcame these challenges through perseverance and hard work. I also identified areas where I could improve and make changes to improve my experience.
Impact of Moral Reasoning
In the criminal justice system, moral reasoning is a significant factor in research and the formulation of recommendations. My own experience has taught me that moral considerations may have a variety of effects on how research and suggestions turn out. First, it directs the researcher to concentrate on the ethical aspects of the study and any potential repercussions of the findings. Second, it aids the researcher in figuring out whether the planned research complies with the moral guidelines of the criminal justice system. Thirdly, moral thinking assists the researcher in determining how the research may affect society.
All research projects must include moral reasoning as a core component, but it was crucial for my capstone project in criminal justice. When I came up with my project, I became aware of how important ethics are to the criminal justice system and how important it was to ensure that my study adhered to the highest moral standards. In light of this, I gave my study’s possible ramifications significant thought and ensured that my proposal accurately reflected my dedication to ethical behavior.
I carefully analyzed the body of research on juvenile criminality to address the complicated problem of juvenile crime and its effects on society. I researched several ideas and models that attempted to explain the origins of juvenile delinquency and assessed how well the present juvenile justice system worked to do so. Using this approach, I could pinpoint several crucial areas where the system may be strengthened, such as preventative measures and substitute forms of punishment that emphasize rehabilitation more than punishment.
Throughout my research, I encountered various ethical issues I needed to address. For instance, I had to think about the moral ramifications of exposing young offenders to the public’s gaze and the possible damage it may do to their prospects for the future. I also had to think about the moral ramifications of researching juvenile misbehavior without considering the underlying socioeconomic factors contributing to it (Sipes et al., 2020).
I applied moral reasoning to my study methods to solve these ethical issues. My study used a qualitative technique because it allowed me to learn more about adolescent misbehavior without putting the participants in the public eye (Siegel & Worrall, 2018). In my research, I also considered the underlying societal problems that contributed to juvenile delinquency and made several recommendations to solve them.
Professional Ethical Point of View
My professional, ethical point of view has evolved tremendously over the years as a criminal justice student. I have learned to value the significance of making criminal justice judgments in a socially, morally, and ethically responsible manner while pursuing a degree (Siegel & Worrall, 2018). I have realized how much of an influence my choices as a criminal justice practitioner have on the people and society at large. Therefore, always acting in the interests of justice, fairness, and equality is imperative.
Justice itself is one of the most important ethical principles in criminal justice. Fairness, equality, and objectivity are requirements of justice in the decision-making process (Banks, 2018). As a result, my ethical perspective strongly emphasizes the requirement that justice be delivered in all facets of the criminal justice system. According to Banks (2018), it ensures that everyone in the judicial system, whether the victim or the offender, receives a fair and just verdict. It is crucial to balance the rights and needs of each individual with the obligation to maintain the law.
Moreover, I have discovered that moral conduct in the criminal justice system calls for forthrightness, honesty, and integrity. Being truthful and open in all of my contacts is crucial for me to succeed as a criminal justice practitioner. This entails telling the truth, keeping my word, and taking responsibility for my deeds. I have also seen how important it is always to maintain my integrity, even when no one is looking, and steer clear of situations where my moral principles could be jeopardized.
In addition, I believe that professional ethics in the criminal justice system must include societal responsibility. As a member of the criminal justice community, I have a responsibility to ensure that what I do advances society as a whole. This entails being conscious of my influence on society and trying to improve things. Also, it is critical to recognize each person’s value and dignity while they are a part of the justice system.
Criminal Justice Enlightenment
My Criminal Justice Capstone class gave me insight into the criminal justice system and how it operates. The capstone experience has aided my growth as a criminal justice professional. My capstone project taught me that the criminal justice system is more complicated than it first looks. The system is intricate, and various things affect how it functions. The criminal justice system also focuses on preventing crime, rehabilitating convicts, and finding and punishing criminals. I have learned about the different roles of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. I have also learned about the challenges criminal justice professionals face when performing their duties. These challenges include limited resources, competing priorities, and public scrutiny.
The capstone experience taught me that the criminal justice system is far from flawless. According to Siegel and Worrall (2018), the system has to be fixed because it has several imperfections and inefficiencies. Using the criminal justice system as an example, there is a significant racial and ethnic imbalance. The likelihood of being arrested, found guilty, and imprisoned is higher for Hispanics and Black Americans than for white Americans. If the criminal justice system is to be equitable and fair, this gap must be rectified.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Criminal Justice program has been a transformative experience for me, providing valuable knowledge, skills, and competencies for a successful career in criminal justice. The capstone experience was particularly illuminating, offering an opportunity to apply and refine skills gained during the program. Feedback was instrumental in improving the quality of work and identifying areas for improvement, while moral reasoning played a significant role in shaping research proposals in the criminal justice system. Overall, the Criminal Justice program has given me the necessary skills, knowledge, and ethical perspective to make informed, socially responsible, and morally responsible decisions as a criminal justice professional.
References
Banks, C. (2018). Criminal justice ethics: Theory and practice. Sage Publications.
Giuliano, T., Skorinko, J. L. M., & Fallon, M. (2019). Engaging undergraduates in publishable research: Best practices. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1878.
Khamidovna, P. O. (2020). The mechanism of developing a culture of communication in students in the educational process. JCR, 7(12), 3096-3103.
Mayeux, S. (2018). The idea of the criminal justice system. American Journal of Criminal Law, 45, 55. Web.
Siegel, L. J., & Worrall, J. L. (2018). Essentials of criminal justice. Cengage Learning.
Sipes, J. B., Mullan, B., & Roberts, L. D. (2020). Ethical considerations when using online research methods to study sensitive topics. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 6(3), 235.