Reference no: EM132335749

Assignment: This week, you evaluate the significance of research on specific policy change and analyze its role in policy analysis. You also begin your criminal justice Policy Project, which allows you to experience firsthand how research can inform and support a change in criminal justice policy.

Empirical research has the potential to have a profound impact on crime prevention and control. Such research can lead researchers to abandon ill-conceived policies and facilitate the development of new policies that may more effectively control crime or have a less disparate impact upon different populations. For example, research on the crack/cocaine sentencing disparity, established by the U.S. Sentencing Commission in the 1980s, reveals how these sentencing schemes have had a disproportionately negative impact on minority communities. As new research highlights how attempts to address a crime problem may be creating new problems, legislators must reexamine intent and outcome for existing laws.

For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources and identify a research-based change in policy relevant to crime. Examine how the policy changed after research on a topic indicated the need to modify the response to crime.

At least 500 words

At least 2 references

Must be in APA format