Discriminatory practices in the criminal justice system jeopardize the possibility of justice. Anofficerin a public-facing role (such as law enforcement, probation, corrections, or juvenile justice) should be aware of how to interact with diverse groups and be willing to recognize and challenge discrimination wherever it may arise.

Respond to either or both of the following:

• Give an example of a highly-publicized criminal event that happened in your state within the past 5 years. Do you perceive discrimination in the responses from law enforcement, corrections, or the courts? Which specific acts contribute to this perception? Explain a strategy for avoiding discrimination in similar situations.
• Which discriminatory acts within the justice system can affect both adult offenders and juveniles? How can reforms be made to reduce discrimination in the criminal and juvenile justice systems?