People and justice: Contemporary challenges and perspectives

This course will examine a range of contemporary people-focused issues of importance to the Aotearoa New Zealand criminal justice system. This course will identify and discuss the sources of some of the current or recent influences that shape aspects of criminal justice theory, research, policy, and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand, including, as required, political agendas and contemporary societal opinions. The focus would be on the lived experiences, over-represented groups, and the roles of people within criminal justice systems. This includes not only those processed through the system (e.g., offenders, victims, communities) but also those who work within it (e.g., frontline staff, professionals, policymakers). This course will provide students with a deeper understanding of these contemporary issues in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the challenges faced by professionals in this field.