The Impact of the Global Economic Recession on the American Criminal Justice System

Donovan A. McFarlane

Frederick Taylor University, USA

Abstract:

This article explores the impact of the global economic recession on the criminal justice system via the court and prison systems, on the premise that the crimes and increase in social disorder create challenges and problems for the already overcrowded and overburdened court and prison systems in the United States. This article seeks to explore this impact as fully as possible while introducing the issue as a challenge and problem for further research, debate, and consideration. The author presents several examples of how the global economic recession or downturn has created more cases for court systems across the United States, specifically referencing statistics from several sources and states. Several strategies and recommendations are discussed as approaches that can be used to remedy or at best, attempt to effectively manage the major challenges facing the criminal justice system.

Keyword:

Deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, incapacitation, global economic recession, criminal justice system