The death penalty in the United States is a controversial topic. Include the history, statistics and public opinion of the death penalty. For example, according to a 2010 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of the population in the United States are in favor of the death penalty in cases of murder.
Juveniles are not immune to experiencing problems with the law. Like adults, they risk imprisonment if they commit a crime. If you choose this topic, research reasons behind juvenile delinquency, such as poverty, abuse, exposure to violence and substance abuse.
Many ex-convicts have trouble adjusting to life after prison. They may lose their work skills, and be given fewer opportunities because of their criminal record. Research specific challenges and difficulties individuals face after leaving prison, and include statistics. For example, 66 percent of individuals released from prison rely on their family members and friends for money two months after their release.
Racial disparity in prisons has long been a topic of debate. The inmate population in the United States is larger than any country in the world, and minorities are more likely to be in prison than European Americans. According to Professor Pamela Oliver in the Department of Sociology at The University of Wisconsin at Madison, approximately one third of African-American men are under some kind of supervision by the criminal justice program. For this topic, research evidence that proves some judges are more likely to administer harsher sentences to minorities.