Each student will write a research paper examining a specific criminal justice related topic. The paper is to be scholarly in nature (i.e., not a “reflection” paper). Students must utilize at least 19 sources, 12 of which are peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles. Direct quotations should be used sparingly; however, students may paraphrase material. Paraphrasing still requires proper APA citations. Students are not permitted to reuse any course work from a previous or current course for the purposes of this paper.
General Formatting Requirements
1. A cover page
2. Running Head (upper left-hand corner of the header)
3. Page numbering (upper right-hand corner of the header)
4. 1” margins on all sides
5. Strict double-spacing (no additional space before or after each line – check paragraph settings)
6. Times New Roman, 12 point font throughout your entire paper – cover page through references
7. All text (with the exception of headings within the body of the paper) should be left-justified (i.e., do not “Justify” the text of your paper as the spacing will be off).
8. Written in formal English, with college-level writing mechanics and APA-style formatting, inclusive of in-text citations and references
General Paper Structure: The structure the paper will include four main sections.
I. Introduction
A. Introduce specific topic to be analyzed
B. Provide any relevant historical information pertaining to the respective issue(s), theory (or theories) and policy.
C. Thesis statement – The thesis statement should be a concise and declarative statement illustrating your assessment of the issue (i.e., what you have to say about your chosen topic, what is your position?)
D. Briefly describe your plan of action to analyze your chosen topic, and underscore your thesis (i.e., lay out a “road map” for the reader).
CJ498 2
II. Literature Review (The following describes an integrated literature review)
A. Introduction to your literature review (expand on your “roadmap” statement)

B. Develop subtopics based on your paper topic (about 3). Under each subtopic, provide an in depth analysis of your chosen topic, identified in the introduction, utilizing information garnered from scholarly sources, combined with your own original thoughts (i.e., critical analysis).
1. Summarize prior research
2. Critique prior research
3. Present pertinent conclusions (in brief) – more substantive conclusions will be addressed in Part IV of your paper
C. Provide a summary (i.e., highlights from your literature review) that will naturally lead into your Discussion.
III. Discussion
A. Summarize your assessment of the issue (i.e., chosen topic); the utility of existing theory and data; and the efficacy or futility of current policy in place to address the issue.
B. Reference back to substantive examples from your sources
IV. Conclusion
A. Provide your concluding thoughts on:
1. What policy changes need to be made, and what the implications of those changes might mean with respect to better addressing the issue
2. Future research needs
V. References (APA-style references for all scholarly sources used in your paper)

this paper is about aging throughout the correctional system, and why. What are we doing?
I attached an annotated bibliography that might help.
What are we doing with older inmates? who is caring for them? what about inmates who develop alzheimers? how did three strikes laws and other policies make this situation come to fruition? What can we do now? History on lengthy sentences and mass incarceration- history on aging in corrections. Your own ideas are welcome, what is relevant?
are prisons the new hospice care system? I also included an example of my topic proposal.