By examining national and state child labor laws, a student may research the link between adolescent employment and problem behavior in teenagers. By taking surveys of both youth and employers and also analyzing government regulations, a student may be able to discuss the effects of unemployment and job quality on the juvenile crime rate. Students completing this project can also research the effects law changes have made on teen behavior and whether they have resulted in a positive or negative effect.
Study whether therapeutic substance abuse programs are useful tool for prison inmates. Evaluate several programs throughout your state and take note of the effectiveness of these programs. The prisoners will undergo therapeutic sessions and be encouraged to continue drug treatment after their sentence. The effectiveness of these programs can be measured by the continued sobriety of the prisoners after they have left the prison and the successful outcome of their return to public society.
The death penalty has been a hot topic in politics for many years. Conduct research on the history of the death penalty and its effectiveness or lack of effectiveness to deter crime throughout the years. You can also present an argument why certain crimes must be punished through the means of the death penalty. Another sub topic for this category is the use of the death penalty in extreme juvenile crimes which has been topic discussed in recent years.
Prisoners who have spent some time incarcerated often have difficulty adjusting to normal society again. Examine how time in prison affects a parolee after they have been released. Do an evaluation of former prisoners who have been released into society and are trying to obtain employment or further their education. Research how their life in prison may have limited their options for a new life and how it will affect their relationships with others in society.