he Criminal Justice Process aims to provide students with a critical knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice process in England and Wales. The module highlights that 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 cover topics such as:


The aims and rationale of punishment

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

This assignment has two parts, the first part consists of a report on either a magistrates’ or Crown Court which is 1000 words in length and weighted at 50%. Students will be advised on how to structure their reports prior to their assignment. The second part of the assignment entails writing an essay of 1000 words, this is also weighted at 50%. In this part of the assessment, you will choose one essay question from a selection of three questions, as provided by the module leader, and examine and discuss social and contemporary issues in criminal justice. Both parts of the assignment will be assessing students’ achievement of the learning outcomes.

Formative Assessment/ Feedback:
On-line activities providing formative feedback via Blackboard

For 200 hours, of which 26 will be class contact and 174 hours will be guided independent study. The module will be delivered via interactive lectures and seminar workshops which emphasise problem-based learning.

1. On completion of this module, you will be able to outline the key agencies of the criminal justice system in England and Wales and describe their roles

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Enquiry

2. . On completion of this module, you will be able demonstrate an understanding of definitions of criminal justice and of the competing aims of the criminal justice system

Learning, Knowledge and Understanding, Application

3. On completion of this module, you will be able to discuss discretion and differential treatment in the context of the criminal justice process¿

Reflection, Application¿

4. On completion of this module, you will be able to show knowledge and understanding of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales in a good style of written English

Communication, Knowledge and Understanding

The library
PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc.
Lecture rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work
The Blackboard virtual learning environment
Full-text journals database for criminology (SAGE)

Joyce,P. and Laverick, W. (2023) Criminal Justice -An Introduction (fourth Edition) Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge

Welsh, L. Skinns, L. and Sanders, A. (2021). Sanders & Young's Criminal Justice. 5th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.