Political scientists, public administrationists, and economists have long studied the impacts of the environment on public organizations. Briefly, the political impacts are obvious. If the citizens become unhappy with the performance of a criminal justice agency, one can expect that changes will usually follow. That is raw political pressure. But it can also come from the courts, either via constitutionally-based litigation, or via laws the legislature passes in response to some demand that organizations conform to certain standards.
Economic impacts are also obvious.
No criminal justice agency, with the exception of some prison systems, has an excess of funds. Economic downturn changes dramatically affect organizations that plan on a constant budget level. Self-Study Exam the readings for this section and list pressures and impacts that seem clear to you from the reading. Do your own review of the press, the news, and your friends.