Second Language in Criminal Justice, Essay Example

Criminal justice officers interact with community members every day and their effectiveness and efficacy in service delivery can be hindered to a large extent by language barriers. Corrections services in the community are exposed to significant challenges of overcoming language barrier.

This problem can be overcome to a great extent by the use of technology of language translation. This entails investments in “language assistance technology”. This includes the use of computers in addition to technology in networking which significantly simplifies the process of communication amongst the people of different languages (Lawrence & Peter, 2005).

The translations can be used in booking of inmates, giving advice on the rights of inmates, direct communication to the inmates, screening of inmates, emergency treatment of inmates, incident control in the process of issuing commands, front desk in addition to lobby instructions.

Encouraging the law enforcement officers to gain proficiency in a second language could be seen as another option. Although this is an initiative that is seen to offer a lasting solution to the existing language barrier in the criminal justice system, there are some drawbacks associated with its implementation (Roger, 2006).

Development of programs for the law enforcement officers to gain proficiency in a second language requires funds to facilitate its research, development and implementation. Its implementation would require training and research in academic institutions. This is an exercise that is both labor and capital intensive and therefore its success will necessitate for additional staff members in the profession. The officers may also be required to work overtime as they train (Robert & Ceil, 2007). This therefore leads us to the conclusion that encouraging the law enforcement officers to gain proficiency in a second language is not realistic because they can use the better option of the use of technology of language translation.

References

Lawrence, M. S. & Peter, M. T., (2005). Speaking of Crime: The Language of the Criminal Justice. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Roger, W. S., (2006). Linguistics in the Courtroom: A Practical Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Robert, B. & Ceil, L., (2007). Sociolinguistic Variation: Theories, Methods, & Applications. Cambridge University Press.