Explanation
Criminal justice refers to the network of laws, agencies, and processes established by governments to control crime and impose penalties on those who violate laws. It includes law enforcement (police), the judiciary (courts), and corrections (prisons, probation, parole). The system aims to maintain social order, protect rights, deliver justice to victims and offenders, and deter future crime. Scholars analyze it not only as a legal framework but also as a social institution shaped by cultural values, power relations, and economic interests.
Theoretical Reference
Critical Criminology, Control Theory, Labeling Theory, Punishment and Social Structure (Rusche & Kirchheimer)