The book takes a social systems approach to the study of criminal justice; this approach is based on the four assumptions that social systems are open, are interdependent, have formal and informal goals, and have conflicting goals. The articles included here were selected around five main themes: the lack of coordination in the Canadian criminal justice system, the overly lenient sentences handed down by courts, the recruitment of women and minorities by the criminal justice system and their experiences once employed, the involvement of youthful offenders in the juvenile justice system, and Aboriginal justice. Additional articles cover police burnout, AIDS in correctional facilities, plea bargaining, and the right to legal representation. Two articles deal with the future of criminal justice in Canada. Chapter references