Prison Reform – FIRST STEP Act

Double Spaced

F inal paper: (30% of grade)
You will be on a policy of choice. Students shall select a policy area of interest and prepare a critical analysis of a particular social policy.
You must have at least four (4) reference articles for this paper.
Length : 13-15 pages

Policy Critique: Address the political, economic, and administrative feasibility of the policy (LAPFID)

In general, you will be expected to:
Briefly describe the current policy or program
Systematically provide a conceptual analysis of the current policy
Assess the policy or programs impact on minorities and oppressed people
Assess or propose a policy modification.

Sample Outline recommendation:
Problem Statement: This should be a summary of the problem experienced by the population affected by your policy. Specifics should be included such as numbers of people affected, impacts on individuals and society, and cost of not dealing with the problem.

History and Current Status of Policy previous efforts that have been made to solve the problem and reasons the problem still exists. Demonstrate your expertise in this area to gain the readers confidence.

Frame the history so that it lays the groundwork for your proposal/analysis. You may organize this section by level of government, topically, or through a timeline.

Public Perception this section will summarize your view of norms and values. You will need to discuss how any stakeholders, voting public, the press and legislators may feel about the issue.
You should identify groups that would support/oppose a policy. You also will want to provide a framework for a political discourse that will garner support. This section is where you will discuss any relevant issues in relation to NASW Code of Ethics or any other relevant ethical norms. Please include NASWs position on this.

Note any bias/exclusions. (NASW website or visit to representatives from the local chapter.

Political Realities identify political individuals or groups that are likely to take positions on the issue. Present your analysis as nonjudgmental as possible.

Delivery System discuss the services, programs or organizations tied to your policy issue. Identify strengths and weaknesses (diplomatically) and any ideas for revision. It is best to let facts speak for themselves. (Hint: who, what, when, where, how of the delivery system.)

Alternative Solutions this is to be a brief yet comprehensive discussion of the potential solutions you can develop to solve the problem identified. You may have one solution or several. They should be viable, research backed solutions. (If analyzing an existing policy, are there alternatives to this? What changes could be made?)

Cost Effectiveness and Outcomes you can describe how you would/did determine the best of the alternative solutions. You can base this on cost benefit analysis, forecasting study, etc. You should also describe how this initiative is/would be measured.

Proposed Solution a brief summary of your solution or the policy solution and a summary of reasons why this is the best solution. If any portion of the problems is not addressed, be sure to explain why you did not address it.

Potential Effects discuss unintended consequences and the ways these could be avoided.