Criminal justice is the integrated system of practices and institutions that protect society by deterring and mitigating crime, sanctioning those who violate laws and rehabilitation efforts.
The system has five pillars which function together as a chain of links:
Criminal justice is the system of practices and institutions of society and governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts. The primary goals of the criminal justice system are to:
Criminal Justice prepares graduates for a rewarding, impactful career with community safety at heart. Because it is so multi-disciplinary, there is a wide range of opportunities for graduates, whether it be in policing, law, corrections, or community development.
The development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, along with program knowledge assist communities, organizations, and government in finding solutions to the crime and violence.
The Criminal Justice (CRJT) program at Galen is the only program of its kind in Belize. It surveys the contemporary criminal justice system in Belize while comparing and contrasting it with the various systems around the world – from the US to the UK and beyond. Students examine phases of the criminal justice system beginning with crime detection by police, to the handling of the case through the courts, and finally, to the disposition and sentencing of offenders. Issues and characteristics of each phase (police, courts, and corrections) are examined along with identifying the key actors involved at each stage (police, judges, prosecutors, correctional officers, etc.). As such, judges, police administrators, lawyers, correction officers and human service officers teach within the Galen’s Criminal Justice program.
A unique component of Galen’s Criminal Justice program is our focus on restorative justice. Restorative Justice is a community-based approach to creating, repairing and restoring relationships. It comprises of a growing social justice movement to institutionalize peaceful approaches to harm, problem-solving and violations of legal and human rights. It exposed students to efforts of prevention, community and family involvement, as well as alternatives in corrections.
Using a Restorative Justice approach and promoting active learning, Galen seeks to develop its students intellectually and ethically, while providing them with a keen appreciation for the complexities of crime, and public and private efforts to make communities safer and ensure justice. In addition to the inclusion of Restorative Justice, Galen also includes Community and Social Justice services in its program. While not often considered to be oriented to criminal justice, Galen’s program acknowledges the importance of community.
To assist students in their career choices, they can choose from an internship or a research thesis. The research thesis helps students develop their research interests and prepares them for continuing their academic career. The internship helps students identify their career goals. Students choose from the Belize Central Prison, the Supreme Court of Belize or the Police Department.
Courses that students will take within our program include:
Many of our graduates are employed at various agencies around Belize including:
There are numerous other employment opportunities that anthropology graduates can pursue such as:
At a very young age, Galen University has taught me to be disciplined, confident, and a great critical thinker. The Criminal Justice Bachelor Degree Program at Galen University is well put together. This program takes a holistic approach to the Criminal Justice System in Belize and the Region. I have learned everything there is to know about the Criminal Justice System – detention, parole, trial, sentence, rehabilitation, etc. So, if you are passionate about the Criminal Justice System as much as I am, this is definitely the program for you. All my professors are professionals themselves, so they can also provide you with real-life examples.
