Criminal Justice

The study of crime and punishment has roots in the 18th century. Before then, harsh punishment such as torture was meted out to criminals, and often the punishment was for petty infractions or even for people who were only suspected of committing crimes. Starting in the 1700s, society gave more consideration to crime, in an effort to better understand the reasons for the crime and what might be the best punishment for the crime. This period of thought and debate brought about the classical school of criminology, which theorized that people choose to commit crimes, and that the purpose of punishment should be to prevent future crime.

Today there are many different types of careers in the criminal justice field that focus on the study of crimes and criminal behavior. Some of these jobs include criminalists, criminologists, and sociologists. Criminalists may also be known as forensic science technicians or crime scene investigators. They collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes. They may specialize in crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis, and there are specialists within these fields such as forensic pathologists, latent print examiners, and digital forensics analysts, among others.

Sociologists who specialize in researching and analyzing crime are known as criminologists. Their focus is on studying the causes and effects of crime, taking into account social and economic influences. Sociologists in general study human behavior as well as the interaction and organization of groups of people in various environments. They conduct qualitative and quantitative research and use statistical data in their analyses.

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work with people who are either in jail, have been released from jail, or have been given probation rather than jail time. They monitor probationers’ or parolees’ activities and provide advice and resources for job training and education, and locating housing.

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors may also be known as addiction counselors. They advise and educate people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs, or have behavioral problems. They help people find constructive and productive ways to improve their lives and their relationships. There are also victims' advocates, who help people recover from crimes or abuse. They provide guidance on victims’ legal rights and offer support groups and other resources.

According to a report by the market research group IBISWorld, nearly 34,500 people were employed in the correctional facilities industry in June 2019. Correctional facilities generate $6 billion in revenue in the United States. There was minimal annual growth in the field from 2014 through 2019. Correctional facilities are often scrutinized to cut back on inefficient practices and expenditures, which could limit future growth.