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Thematic Teaching
crime & justice: related resources
Activity Ideas | Related Resources
Find Below: PBS Web Sites, Other Recommended Links, Recommended Books
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Frontline: "The O.J. Verdict"
Examine how the trial of O.J. Simpson, through the eyes of many, compromised the judicial system and exposed the deep racial divisions in American society.
Frontline: "The Torture Question"
Explore the debate over alleged abuses of prisoners in the War on Terror.
P.O.V.: "Blink"
Investigate the elements that make up a hate crime and the motivativation of those who commit them.
NOW: Corporate Scandal and Reform
Learn about corporate malfeasance and its effect on business ethics and the economy.
NewsHour Online: Law Archive
Explore the NewsHour's extensive coverage of crime and law-related issues over the past 10 years.
Presumed Guilty: Tales of the Public Defenders
Learn about crime, punishment, representation and the criminal justice system.
Independent Lens: "Red Hook Justice"
Learn about a community justice center that emphasizes crime prevention.
recommended web sites
Statistical Briefing Book
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/
The Statistical Briefing Book from Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention provides statistical information on juvenile offending, victimization of juveniles, and involvement of youth in the juvenile justice system. There are data sets related to violent juvenile offenders, student victimization at school, sexual activity, substance use, and FBI Arrest Statistics. Other resources at the site include juveniles as victims, as offenders, on probation, in corrections, and the juvenile justice system structure and process.
Subject: Math
More Recommended Math Links
Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/
There are six sections to this sourcebook, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. You can view or download entire sections, individual portions of a major section, and search the index or the tables. Anyone doing research on the justice system will probably find useful data in these tables. Files are in PDF and a spreadsheet in .wk1 format that you can save to Excel or another spreadsheet application to open.
Subject: Math
More Recommended Math Links
Building Blocks for Youth
http://www.buildingblocksforyouth.org/
This organization studies the impact of the justice system on youth of color, and the overrepresentation in most states of African-American, Latino, and Native American youth in the juvenile justice system. Click on the map to find state and federal data on arrest, referral, detention, case processing, waiver to adult court, and incarceration. Fact sheets include the topics: girls in the justice system, trying kids as adults, and conditions of confinement.
Subject: Social Studies
More Recommended Social Studies Links
Juvenile Justice Committee Publications
http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/juvjus/pubs.html
The Juvenile Justice Committee is part of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association which advocates for changes in the juvenile justice system. Free publications that may be downloaded include: "Evolving Standards of Decency: The Juvenile Death Penalty in the United States," Death Penalty Fact Sheets, and "Justice by Gender: The Lack of Appropriate Prevention, Diversion and Treatment Alternatives for Girls in the Juvenile Justice System." Documents are in PDF format.
Subject: Social Studies
More Recommended Social Studies Links
recommended books
Kids Law: A Practical Guide to Juvenile Justice
By John W. Biggers
Published January 2003
Grades: 9-12
Subjects: Social Studies
The author, an attorney specializing in juvenile law and youth advocate, has prepared a guide to the juvenile justice system. The book's three sections examine what is done by kids, what is done for and to kids, and the future of juvenile justice. An appendix covers Federal involvement in juvenile law. A glossary is included. This book would make a good resource for civics classrooms.
More Recommended Social Studies Books