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crime & justice: activity ideas

Activity Ideas | Related Resources

  1. Analyzing Crime Statistics

    Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
    Subject: Social Studies; Math

    In 2004, the nation's crime rate continued to hold at the lowest levels since the government began surveying crime victims in 1973. Since 1993, violent crime as measured by victim surveys has fallen by 57 percent and property crime by 50 percent. That has included a 9 percent drop in violent crime from 2001-2002 to 2003-2004.

    Despite these encouraging trends, many experts caution that those factors that contribute to lawlessness, including poverty, splintered families, drugs, unemployment, and the availability of firearms could send the crime rate up again if the economy deteriorates. Consequently, policymakers disagree on where to focus anti-crime policies -- stricter law enforcement or more prevention programs. Some believe that only stronger enforcement of existing laws and harsher punishment for offenders will reduce crime; others say that it is more important to attack the underlying social problems that lead to crime.

    Have students conduct a brainstorming respond to the following questions (written on the blackboard prior to class): Why do you think that violent crime rates have decreased?

    Then have students research the history and effectiveness of police violent crime prevention tactics. Create a timeline of police tactics over the past few decades. How have police tactics changed over time? What economic and social forces created the change?

    Using the Department of Justice statistics (see Online Resources below) have students make a chart of national crime statistics over the past twenty years. Using your chart, can they make predictions? Do they notice any trends? Note what was happening in history during extreme periods of high and low crime.

    Review crime statistics throughout the Twentieth Century. Create a timeline noting extreme variations. What was the gross national product and unemployment rate? Correlate periods of extreme crime variation to periods of great economic fluctuation.

    You may also ask students to write a letter to the Police Commissioner or Chief in your city either supporting or criticizing specific police policies, supporting their arguments with evidence.

    Online Resources

    Bureau of Justice Statistics:
    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/

    Public Agenda Online: Crime:
    http://www.publicagenda.org/issues/frontdoor.cfm?issue_type=crime

    National Archive of Criminal Data:
    http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD/

    PBS Lesson Plans/Activities

    Frontline: "Drug Wars":
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/american/drugs/

    More Recommended Resources

  2. Juvenile Justice

    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts; Math

    One of the most controversial issues surrounding crime and justice in the United States is the debate over how to treat juvenile offenders. As the American people call for more "get tough" on crime policies, many argue that some teenagers should, for example, be tried as adults. Others believe that even the most violent young offenders still have a chance to be rehabilitated by the system.

    Have your students read about the debate over juvenile justice at Frontline and NewsHour Online. As your discussion proceeds ask students these questions:

    • What is the purpose of the criminal justice system? Do you think that the system does what it is supposed to do? Why or why not?
    • What do you think about the trying of juveniles as adults? Do you think that's fair? Should youth be held to a different standard than adults? Why or why not?
    • How do you think teens are treated by the police?
    • Can young offenders be rehabilitated? If yes, how? If no, why not?

    Have students research how juveniles are treated by the juvenile laws in their state. Ask each student, or in teams, to pick a specific issue and report back to the class on the state laws. (For example, who is considered a "juvenile"?) Tell students to come up with a creative way to present their issue to the class -- a skit, poster, brochures, or a multimedia presentation, incorporating, for example, video or audio interviews with experts and law enforcement officials.

    Online Resources

    NewsHour Online: Debating Juvenile Justice:
    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec01/juvenile_7-26.html

    Religion and Ethics Newsweekly: Juvenile Justice:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week421/cover.html

    Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention:
    http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/

    American Bar Association:
    http://www.abanet.org/dch/committee.cfm?com=CR200000

    PBS Lesson Plans/Activities

    Newshour Extra: Juvenile Death Penalty:
    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/socialstudies/...

    Print Resources

    Kids Law: A Practical Guide to Juvenile Justice by John W. Biggers

    More Recommended Resources

  3. Overcrowded Prisons

    Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
    Subjects: Social Studies

    Despite the decreasing national crime rate in recent years, the U.S. prison population continues to rise. According to the U.S. Justice Department, laws passed in the 1990's have led to more prison sentences and longer terms, which explains the continuing increase despite a decreasing crime rate. At the end of 2003, there were 1,470,045 men and women in state and federal prisons in the United States.

    Most Americans believe that being tough on criminals is more important than protecting the rights of the accused. Others support prevention programs and gun control. And few say putting guilty people in jail should be the most important goal of the justice system.

    Begin an activity on the prison population by visiting NOW: Prisons in America , The First Measured Century , and NewsHour Online: "In the System".

    Students should also investigate statistics on the racial breakdown of prison populations. The Sentencing Project provides a useful overview of the U.S. prison population. Share some of the key graphs in this report with your students.

    Ask your students: What sort of crimes should be punishable by long-prison sentences? Make a list on the board. Should these crimes only be violent in nature? What about white collar crimes? Make sure they think about all the potential victims these crimes create.

    Ask students why more people are being sent to prison if the U.S. crime rate is at its lowest point since the 1970s. Most experts point to the nation's drug laws, which often mandate minimum jail-time. For example, most non-violent first time offenders guilty of drug possession get a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years with no parole, or 10 years with no parole if he/she has a large quantity of drugs. As a result, according to many experts, America's prisons have become overcrowded.

    Set up a Role Play in your classroom to simulate a congressional hearing, with students taking specific roles. Some students will take on the roles of Members of Congress who listen to testimony. (One student should serve as chairperson.) Other students will represent other groups: psychiatrists, law enforcement officers, prison wardens, drug addicts or former drug addicts, social service providers, and government experts. The [purpose of the hearing is to decide on a broad policy approach -- and therefore the lion's share of the federal budget -- to the drug problem: Should our laws stress enforcement or rehabilitation?

    Each student or group will present testimony before the representatives. Members of Congress should question each of the witnesses. Encourage the representation of as many perspectives as possible.

    Following the mock hearing, lead students in a discussion of what transpired. Take a vote of the whole class.

    Online Resources

    NewsHour Online: The War on Drugs:
    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/top_story/drug_war.html

    Bureau of Justice Statistics: Prisons:
    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm

    Frontline: The Drug Wars:
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs

    Justice Learning:
    http://www.justicelearning.org/teachingmaterials.asp

    PBS Lesson Plans/Activities

    Newshour Extra: Paying for Crime:
    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/math/...

    Newshour Extra: Legitimate Use or Legalized Abuse:
    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/history/...

    Print Resources

    U.S. Federal Prison System by Mary Bosworth

    More Recommended Resources

Published: October 2005