HOW PSYCHOLOGY IS PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

We all have been living in a society that is peaceful and bustling simultaneously. We cannot precisely gauge that when was the concept of law and order introduced. But it seems that it has always been a need for the humankind. Rules are essential for any country to maintain peace and have a solution for those violating the rules. We all know the image that pops in our minds upon hearing the word crime. There is nothing positive attached to this word, but we can think of someone committing an offense to harm another person.

Criminals are not aliens or foreign beings who commit such acts that make us feel bad and harm society on the whole. They are individuals among us, but their mind is working and thinking of a different pace than us. Light does not exist without darkness. The same thing applies to human nature; it has good traits and a dark side too. Certain factors affect our minds and psyche that can either make us rabid from killing people or stealing their belongings or showing empathy.

Let us face it that we are talking about facts and not a made-up story. The darkness exists in every country as criminals and crimes, but they also have a solution. Every state has a justice system that decides the punishment or alternate solution regarding crime and a criminal. Do you think a lawyer can understand the motive behind a criminal’s act? The mindset that is driving him to do so? The Answer is, a lawyer can only assess the person based on laws and other rules and charges that apply to him. There must be someone to help the judge by assessing the mental conditions of such individuals.

If you have happened to see web series or movies based on criminal acts, you must have noticed some characters working as criminal profilers. These characters are forensic psychologists assisting the judiciary departments. Psychology is a vast subject that branches into every aspect of life. Many people associated with law or judiciary often opt for online forensic psychology degree to understand the crime and criminal better.

Are you interested in assisting the law and court, but not sure what you will do or how? Here are a few reasons that highlight the role of psychology in justice systems.

Enforcement Of Law

Psychology and law have always been existing together. There exists a particular relation between the thinking patterns and behaviors with the crime. Laws are always needed to sustain the discipline and peace in society. Forensic psychologists assist these institutions by developing advisors, assessments, and behavioral scientists, also known as police psychologists. From assessing the mental compatibility to training the police officers, psychologists have been on the front. They also help with homicide and sex crime investigations of a case.

Courts And Courtrooms

One might think that psychology is only limited to certain areas. In sustaining the criminal justice system, psychology has helped in every aspect. Courts are for the fair judgment of crime and deciding the penalties aligned with laws. You will always have a witness to the crime that is present on the crime scene and testify if the accused is guilty or not. Psychologists can help the court as an expert witness who can prove the reasons for the crime. As an advisor consultant, they give insights to attorneys or lawyers in the case. They can also advise the court about researchers, psychological assessments, and their results.

Assessing Criminals

Police officers assess the crime scene, file the report, and then hands it over to the lawyer. The lawyer builds up the case, and the trial begins. Both police and lawyers analyze the situation or scenario superficially. There are some hidden mysteries in mind of a criminal, and you need a psychologist for that. They assess the mental condition, aggressiveness, and also the tendency to cause danger. If a guilty gets a prison sentence, the psychologist chalks out their therapy and counseling programs to help them recover from harmful behavior.

Helping Crime Victims

We all are aware that crimes can happen anytime, anywhere, besides having law and order in control. As much as this possibility exists, we never expect that it will happen to us. Often victims face a traumatic situation from an assault or robbery. We get a feeling of fear that the same thing will happen to us again, or seeing someone getting killed right in front of our eyes can leave us awake for many nights. Psychologists working in judiciary or law enforcement departments also offer psychotherapy to such victims.

Corrections

Many correctional departments can utilize the implementation of psychology. In correctional facilities, the psychologists are responsible for the mental health requirements of their facility. They are also responsible for the analysis and care of inmates that have been diagnosed with any mental illness. The responsibilities and implementation of psychology may differ depending on the nature of the correctional facility. Working in a correction facility often puts psychologists under pressure for staff, heads, and even other departments. According to their code of conduct, it is necessary to resist such burdens and execute the best act for the facility’s mental well-being.

Conclusion

Psychology refers to the understanding of the human mind, its function, and its effects on human behavior. Our behaviors are under the stimulus of our thoughts. Forensic psychology helps us to understand the criminal mindset, take preventions against crimes, and help them to be better citizens. The criminal justice system has always relied on psychologists during trials, investigations of cases, and even devising policies and laws. From drug courts to criminal courts, attorneys and lawyers are making sound judgments keeping both physical and psychological aspects in considerations.

HOW PSYCHOLOGY IS PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

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