Sample Essay on Criminal Justice Organizations

Example of Classification essay, Sample Paper

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Table of contents:

1. Introduction

2. Closed system organizations

3. Open system organizations

4. Criminal justice professionals and both systems- Conclusion

Criminal Justice Organizations Essay

1. Introduction

Among criminal justice organizations it is possible to define two main system models of organizations. These models are: open and closed system organization. Almost every person somehow acquainted with the organizational functioning knows these two terms. Nevertheless, it is necessary to exactly identify the main differences between these two systems. A criminal justice professional should know the differences and the characteristics of each of the systems, due to the specifics of his job and in order to trace the correctness of the organizational functioning and elimination of nay possible criminal justice violations. Generally speaking a closed system is separated from outside world influences. Any interaction occurs only inwardly and solely between the structured components of this system. As a contrast to a closed system, an open system functions by means of interacting with the outside surroundings. The paramount importance of the functioning of an open model of organization is the informational exchange with the surrounding ambience represented by other systems. Generally a closed system is more stable. An open model functions generally due to the informational interactions. Nevertheless, these are only general descriptions of both of the system models of organizations. In order to see the major differences between these two systems it is necessary to conduct their deeper analysis.

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2. Closed system organizations

The closed model organization is one of the most known forms of system organizations. It is possible to describe this model as a pyramid. An Army subdivision or a large production enterprise can be viewed as living examples of such a model. An organization belonging to this model is an organization possessing an exact hierarchical structure with clearly stated pattern of relations between the authority and subservience. On top of this pyramid there is an authoritarian leader gravitating towards the creation of a system of absolute subservience. Every person inside the organization obeys some other member of the organization. This functioning pyramid eliminates all possible questions that may occur concerning the subdivision of the organization. The communicational processes and the exchange of information under such model occur generally vertically. This means that the information moves from the leader downwards, to those who require the given information, or from the employees, which have got certain data, to the leader upwards. Information is "kept" by leaders since the possession of information in closed model structures is definitely a sign of possessing power.

Such way of communicating within the closed organization, naturally, leads to the situation when the significant mass of the employees turns out to be outside of many communication flows and just obey the orders given “overhand”. The most valuable phenomenon in the closed model of an organization is the certainty of organizing structures, clearness in the distribution of functional and official positions, roles and responsibilities. The closed system model does not possess the capacity to change and lacks structural mobility. One of the brightest examples of a closed system model of an organization is the U.S. Army. It is definitely a pyramid where obeying orders is the main rule in order to stay. The “informational flow” is very “narrow” and is maintained between the main leaders. The U.S. Army is perfectly organized and every person knows his responsibilities and duties. All the information acquired inside the U.S. Army is confidential and is not a subject of “spreading”.

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3. Open system organizations

An open system is a self-organizing system, which permits inside any person who agrees with the written charter that the organization possesses. It is not an organization with clear hierarchical structure; it is even possible to say that an open organization is “non-hierarchical”. The activity of an open organization provides an impact to the society. Interactions within the organization are very active, not static. They move both vertically, horizontally with inside and outside “informational flows”. “Working groups” (WG) which are formed in order to fulfill particular tasks of the organization substitute the hierarchy. Each of the groups possesses its own charter that does not go against the general charter of the organization. These charters represent the basic values and aims of the organization in general and each WG in particular. One of the main principles of an open model is open participation and trust to the members of the organization. Tasks are fulfilled on the basis of mutual trust of the groups, which share their experience with each other, not only improving the work of a certain WG, but also of the whole organization. One of the priority differences of an open model from a closed model is the public ownership of the knowledge of the organization. The information is not “kept” from the members of the organization. And the members in their turn share information with the outside ambience and the experience they posses with the WG members. One of the brightest examples of such an organization in terms of Criminal justice is the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. ”The mission of the Texas Department of Corrections is to provide public safety, promote positive change in offender behavior, reintegrate offenders into society, and assist victims of crime”. In order to provide these tasks and supervise the offenders off prison, the department has to interact with other different facilities and exchange information with them. It shares information with ordinary citizens who found themselves in hard criminal situations. Criminal justice professionals are welcome to the Texas Department of Corrections if they are eager to follow its charter.

4. Criminal justice professional and both of the systems.

Any criminal justice professional should know the differences between both of the systems in order to be able to trace the correctness of the activity within the organization. This knowledge will it make easier to evaluate who is to blame in case of any criminal situations. Knowing the structure, the manner of interaction and the accessibility of the data of the organizations clear the way of working with them for a professional criminal justice professional. The creation of justice within these models of organizations and responsibility for orders, especially in closed systems is also a question related to the field of activity of a criminal justice professional. Information about the peculiarities of each of the systems is necessary in order to choose in which organizational system the criminal justice professional prefers to work in.