CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

Criminal Justice and Feminism:

Introduction into the Criminal Justice Discipline
Kendall J. Jimenez
University of Texas at El Paso

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

Abstract
Throughout this document, I will present the information I have obtained regarding the
Criminal Justice discipline. In doing so, I have conducted site observations, interviews,
and surveys regarding my topic as a general aspect in addition to the presence of
feminism. I was able to gain insight through the views of students and professionals,
providing me with a broad interpretation of what the Criminal Justice Discipline entails.
The collaborative research I performed offers multiple views into this discipline that I
feel has given me the proper tools that will aid in planning my future. Unlike other
documents that solely grant the information needed to prepare for this discipline, I have
also acquired a womans point of view in a professional environment and analyzed
aspects of feminism existing at the University of Texas at El Paso. This document may
serve as a help to others planning on perusing Criminal Justice, especially women.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

Criminal Justice and Feminism:

Introduction into the Criminal Justice Discipline
My purpose in exploring the Criminal Justice discipline is to further my
knowledge regarding the topic, as it will be my major, and to also be more informed of
my career options. This topic is extremely relevant to me in that it will help dictate my
future after graduation and help to influence my personal decisions afterwards. My
discipline will fulfill the objectives set to complete this project by allowing me to
becoming familiarized with the Criminal Justice field as an undergraduate program,
career choice, and general discipline as a whole. Throughout this process, I plan to gain a
new and more organized perspective of Criminal Justice, in addition to choosing a career
path that is best for me. My research and findings can also serve as a reference for other
individuals with an interest or plan to enter into this discipline as a student or worker in
this career field. In addition, this project can also be valuable in exploring feminism in
the Criminal Justice field. I have gained a fair amount of knowledge regarding the
correlation between being a woman in a field dominated by men and how this will affect
my career options. Gender inequality is still a major issue throughout professionalism in
general and I hope to accommodate my career around what positions are most suitable for
me not only as a graduate student but also as a woman in the Criminal Justice field.
Women have researched the topic of gender inequality in the workplace, however they
have seldom given solutions to this ongoing issue. Gender inequality is not a problem
that can be solved quickly or all at once, so I plan on revealing the types of positions that
have already begun to view women as an equally valuable resource.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

In order to gain the concept of first impressions that I received regarding the
Criminal Justice discipline as an entirety, I set off on a series of site observations. The
site that I found most significant was a Criminal Justice classroom at the University of
Texas at El Paso College of Liberal Arts. The criminal justice classroom that I observed
provided reassurance to my interest in this particular program because student
engagement was ever-present. In addition, the professor of this particular course was a
woman. These two factors contribute a great deal to my purpose in researching the
criminal justice discipline because both interest and feminism were addressed. In essence,
the classroom was equipped with all the general necessities that any liberal arts class
would find appropriate, however luxuries were absent, proving that this college lacks
priority in comparison to other fields of academia at UTEP. All individuals that are
familiar with the campus at UTEP are aware of the special privileges granted to students
and staff of specific disciplines, namely the colleges of health science and engineering.
These disciplines have luxuries and opportunities such as newer facilities and better
accommodations, alluding to the fact that these are the students and disciplines that
UTEP finds most superior in funding. However, the observation that I conducted
demonstrated that education is still achievable despite these luxuries. Also, it was made
apparent that UTEP finds women valuable in granting them positions in education for
future members of this discipline.
The University of Texas at El Paso makes it apparent that women play a
significant role in its success. As I mentioned above, the site observation I conducted was
a criminal justice class led by a female professor, and the President of our university is
also a woman. While I searched for documents that reflected the criminal justice

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

program, I came across one that proved this point yet again. The document I chose to
analyze was published on the College of Liberal Arts website linked to the University of
Texas at El Paso. Peggy Banales was interviewed as the first female graduate from
UTEPs CJ program in 1974. This interview is helpful in my research as I strive to learn
about the gender barriers within this discipline. Although her interview did not focus
deeply on her experiences as a woman in this discipline, I feel that the interview
being present on this website speaks volumes. The interview itself does not provide as
much information that I was hoping to receive, however the CJ program made it a point
to boast of a womans achievements and success after graduation. I am positive that this
interview is not an absolute dismissal of gender inequality in the CJ program, but, it
displays the value that the program has placed on women in a forty-year time span.
Obviously from this interview, it is clear that women do have a prominent place in this
field, at least according to the University of Texas at El Paso. An additional document
that I found valuable was the Facebook website constructed by the criminal justice
department. This document specifically includes the purpose or mission of the college.
As stated on this website, the CJ program's "...Purpose is to help develop student skills
through theory, critical thinking, research findings examination, and writing in order to
better understand and perform in a criminal justice career". This serves as a statement of
reassurance that will hopefully gain the interest of students by giving a sense of hope that
a criminal justice career is obtainable. The site goes on to state, "We are expanding our
contacts with the many criminal justice agencies in the surrounding venues to provide
productive opportunities for interns to gain practical experience through working at an
agency." Again, this is the ultimate goal of many CJ majors, like myself, and it is

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

comforting to know that internships are directly connected to the program. This promotes
an in to this discourse community. Internships allow students to network before
graduation. This is crucial in getting ahead and having a position reserved immediately
following graduation.
After conducting a survey, I received seven responses, all from students who are
planning to major in and continue a career in the Criminal Justice discourse community.
A series of questions were asked regarding the criminal justice program and how
feminism is related.
When questioned about the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice program, these
were the most useful responses: Of the seven volunteers, five do indeed feel that the
Criminal Justice Program at The University of Texas at El Paso has been efficient in
preparing them for a career in the Criminal Justice discourse community. All seven
volunteers agreed that the University of Texas at El Paso encourages internships. Three
students have been encouraged to pursue their masters degree in order to better their
chances in the criminal justice field, while the remaining four have not yet been
encouraged in bettering their chances. Three out of the seven volunteers confirmed that
they do know an individual who has been successful in finding a job after participating in
an internship program offered by UTEP, however none of the three students were able to
recollect the specific internship. Five of the seven students feel confident in finding a job
in a reasonable amount of time following graduation, the remaining two are still unsure
as to whether they could be employed immediately.
Regarding gender equality in the criminal justice discourse community: Six volunteers
stated that they do not feel that gender is an important role in this discourse community,

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

however the remaining volunteer does feel that gender is extremely important in this
field.
None of the seven volunteers believe that women who are students in this discourse
community are treated negatively, however one of the seven feels that women are treated
unfairly after graduating and entering into the workforce. Of the seven volunteers, six
believe that women have equal career opportunities in comparison to men, and one
volunteer believes that men have an advantage over women in the workplace.
All of these responses are valuable to my research not only because they are all directly
from students who are apart of this discipline firsthand, but also because all of these
responses reflect the students personal security in the criminal justice program that
UTEP offers. The questions that were asked were not always addressed in a time
conscious manner: internships and other programs that allow a head start for students
who plan to work for the government and other criminal justice discourse communities
are unheard of and unknown. While considering these factors, students may also better
plan for their future and immerse in it in the most efficient way possible.
I was fortunate enough to interview and gain insight from a government agent
who plays a role in the discipline that I plan to one day be a part of and who also
represents the female perspective of the discipline. She is unable to disclose her identity
and agency for security reasons, however she was able to give me general answers
regarding her profession. I first asked her about academic requirements and her response
followed, Having a higher level of education may not be a basic requirement to gain an
entry-level position in this field, but it has allowed me to enter the position at a higher
pay level. A higher-level degree is a basic requirement for advanced positions. College,

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

as a whole, provides: discipline, time management, interpersonal, and communication

skills. These values listed are just limited examples of the overall life skills developed as
a student in college that will prepare you for being a successful asset to any job,
regardless of your degree plan. A four-year degree (non-specific) is the basic requirement
for most entry-level positions. Writing skills are a must in the federal law enforcement
world because everything we do is documented and written for the courts. Also, There
are internships and student programs available in the federal government, but these are
dependent on each federal agency. Openings for such programs are also dependent on
each agency. This was a relief as many individuals go into this discipline with little or
no idea of what to expect. Internships can be especially helpful in making connections
and networking in order to better ones chances of being employed by an elite
government agency. As far as feminism and gender equality she stated, There is a
standard procedure for all applicants to avoid any prejudice or discrimination. As far as
authoritative positions, she assured that, There are women at the group supervisory level
(first line supervisor) of authority at my place of work, here locally. This information
was most significant in encouraging my personal involvement within this discourse
community. Women in authority or higher-level positions are never publicized, especially
in this discipline. This should only serve as encouragement for any possible candidate
interested in this discourse community.
As far as success in this discipline, my research allowed me to gain insight
regarding ways in which I can better prepare myself, beginning immediately. First,
getting involved in organizations directly connected to criminal justice and the
internships offered could allow significant networking opportunities that can greatly

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FEMINISM

impact my future. Although obtaining a career in this discipline will be a challenge,

preparing myself now and becoming familiar with the discipline will be extremely
valuable. Acknowledging that feminism is a relevant matter that gains support from the
university can be used to my advantage if utilized correctly and can ultimately impact my
future opportunities that may carry on to a professional level. I feel that this research has
significantly prepared me for the future, both as a student and as a future member of the
criminal justice discourse community.