Challenges to Criminal Justice Policy and Practice - SPY00181M

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Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2026-27

Module aims

Challenges in Criminal Justice Policy and Practice aims to explore current and emerging issues, dilemmas, and complexities within the criminal justice system. It will encourage you to examine the formulation, implementation, and effectiveness of various policies and practices, analysing their impact and the challenges they face in areas such as policing, courts, prisons, and probation. The module would encourage critical thinking about potential solutions and future directions in criminal justice.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging issues, dilemmas and complexities within the criminal justice system;

Analyse the formulation, implementation and effectiveness of various policies and practices and their impact on various parts of the criminal justice system;

Apply a theoretically-informed understanding to challenging contemporary debates in crime and criminal justice

Work collaboratively in a team to address and propose solutions

Articulate complex ideas and arguments in a structured and coherent manner

Module content

Week 1: The current climate of criminal justice
Week 2: Policing
Week 3: PBL policing
Week 4: Courts
Week 5: PBL Courts
Week 6: Sentencing
Week 7: PBL Sentencing
Week 8: Probation
Week 9: PBL Probation
Week 10: Prisons
Week 11: PBL Prisons

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading

TBC