The criminal justice system has actually been referred to as the criminal justice “non-system”

by | Nov 4, 2024 | Analysis

 

The criminal justice system has actually been referred to as the criminal justice “non-system” by many observers of modern criminal justice in America. What do we mean when referring to the criminal justice system as a “non-system?” Do you believe that the criminal justice system is a true system, or is it better characterized as many staggering parts working across multiple layers of government at the local, state, and federal level?

 

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Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

The phrase “criminal justice non-system” is a powerful critique of the American criminal justice system, highlighting its inherent flaws and inconsistencies. Here’s what we mean when we use this term and whether it accurately reflects the reality of the system:

What We Mean by “Non-System”:

  • Lack of Coherence: The system is often characterized by a lack of coordination and cooperation between different levels of government (local, state, and federal). This leads to fragmented policies, inconsistent practices, and overlapping jurisdictions.

  • Disparities and Inequities: Significant disparities exist across racial and socioeconomic lines, with marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the system. This is fueled by biased policing, sentencing disparities, and limited access to resources.

The phrase “criminal justice non-system” is a powerful critique of the American criminal justice system, highlighting its inherent flaws and inconsistencies. Here’s what we mean when we use this term and whether it accurately reflects the reality of the system:

What We Mean by “Non-System”:

  • Lack of Coherence: The system is often characterized by a lack of coordination and cooperation between different levels of government (local, state, and federal). This leads to fragmented policies, inconsistent practices, and overlapping jurisdictions.

  • Disparities and Inequities: Significant disparities exist across racial and socioeconomic lines, with marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the system. This is fueled by biased policing, sentencing disparities, and limited access to resources.

  • Over-reliance on Incarceration: The system heavily favors incarceration as a solution, often overlooking alternatives like restorative justice, rehabilitation, and community-based programs.

  • Limited Focus on Reintegration: Once an individual is released from prison, the system often fails to provide adequate support for reintegration, increasing the likelihood of recidivism.

System vs. Non-System:

The criminal justice system in the United States is arguably a collection of disparate parts rather than a cohesive, functioning system. It lacks a clear, overarching vision and consistently operates with misaligned goals and priorities. While there are elements of organization and structure, the vast network of agencies, laws, and procedures operate with a significant degree of fragmentation and inconsistency.

Arguments for a “Non-System”:

  • Lack of Centralized Control: There is no single governing body responsible for overseeing the entire system, resulting in a fragmented approach.

  • Competing Priorities: Different agencies within the system may have competing priorities, such as law enforcement focusing on arrests while corrections prioritize security and rehabilitation.

  • Historical Context: The development of the system over time has led to a patchwork of policies and practices that are often contradictory or outdated.

Arguments for a “System”:

  • Legal Framework: There is a complex network of laws and regulations that govern the criminal justice system.

  • Institutionalized Processes: Well-defined procedures guide interactions with the system, from arrest to sentencing.

  • Specialized Agencies: Dedicated agencies at various levels of government perform specific functions, such as law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and corrections.

Conclusion:

While the criminal justice system in the United States has some elements of organization and structure, its shortcomings in coherence, equity, and effectiveness justify its characterization as a “non-system.” The fragmentation, inconsistencies, and overarching lack of focus on rehabilitation and reintegration necessitate systemic reform to ensure a fairer and more effective system for all.

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