The initial element of the module aims to provide students with a critical knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice process in England and Wales. The module highlights definitions of criminal justice, processes within the criminal justice system and consequences of criminal justice: both crime and imprisonment, are not isolated domains of enquiry; they are closely linked together. Students are encouraged to critically engage with topics such as the pre- and post-trial processes, the social patterning of criminal justice, and contemporary challenges to the CJS in theory and in practice. The module is intended to give students a comprehensive introduction to the main areas of study that they will encounter in levels 5 and 6 of their degree as well as introducing and developing applied study skills.

The module will initially examine:

- Models of criminal justice
- The structure of the criminal justice system
- Policing: role, methods, control and accountability
- Judicial Process: law, courts, and politics
- Miscarriages of justice
- Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and their contract service providers
- Alternatives to imprisonment and restorative justice
- Youth Justice and diversion
- Gender discrimination and ethnicity and class bias in criminal justice
- The role of the victim and the overlap between victims and offenders
- Social and contemporary issues in criminal justice
- In the second section of the module students will focus on crime prevention theory and practice to reduce victimisation within the CJ system. It will have a practical leaning and look at employability within the local authority working with communities.

Assessment one will be a short reflective essay on a courtroom visit. Students will reflect on what they saw and how this experience has impacted on their learning, knowledge and understanding of key principles and structures of the criminal justice system, focusing on personal gaps, perceptions and biases. Students can present their reflective piece as either a written assignment or a video/audio recording.

The second assessment will be a problem-based essay involving practical application to prevent crime and victimisation on a fictitious estate. The fictious estate case study will involve many problems for the students to discuss, including environmental, social and criminal issues, so that a range of theories and practical measures can be applied.

Scheduled learning and teaching hours are 60 hours over the course of the module. These sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, drop-in support sessions prior to assessments. Formative work and case examples will assist students to complete assessments through discussion of similar aspects to the summative case and showing students how they can apply knowledge to the cases. Every week relevant case review and journal articles are provided to support students learning and support application of theoretical knowledge to real world contexts. Timetabled sessions are designed to be interactive to engage students and support their learning.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key models, principles, and structures of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Apply introductory crime prevention theories and practical measures to real-world contexts.

Application & problem solving

3. Communicate effectively to academic and non-specialist audiences about the practical application of criminological theory in resolving community crime issues.

Communication

4. Reflect on how experiences at a courtroom visit impact on your learning and highlight gaps and biases in knowledge.

Reflection; Personal development & Entrepreneurship

College of Policing (2025) Crime Reduction Toolkit. Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/research/crime-reduction-toolkit

Davies, P., Francis, P. and Harding, J. (2025) An Introduction to Criminal Justice. 2nd edition. London, England: SAGE Publications.

Dickety, J. and Blockley, T. (2024) Criminology and Crime Prevention. 1st edition. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781041054818.

Lab, S.P. (2023) Crime prevention . Eleventh edition. New York, New York ; London, England :; New York, New York ; London, England : Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003271673

What is core to a Criminology degree? Understanding Criminal Justice of course! This module introduces you to the structures and pitfalls of the Criminal Justice system – A practical, as well as theory-based view will be discussed, including Courts, the police, and the citizen and victims engaged with it. We will use the University’s immersive suites to role play scenarios and emphasise learning. We will then focus on working with communities and theory to reduce crime and the Criminal Justice burden. This is a growing area of employment in England and Wales where community liaison is recognised as a key element of Criminal Justice and preventative work.