The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of government policy in criminal justice. Specifically it will answer the question: Do government policy and regulation help or hurt in the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and sexual orientation area? These members of society could be called "vulnerable populations," and all are quite affected by society and governmental policies. These populations are "different" from the general population, and so, their needs, their reactions, and their experiences are often different, too. Governmental policy initially was meant "for the people and by the people," but today's governmental policies often ignore segments of the population, or make it harder for them to synthesize into the general population, both in society, and in the criminal justice system as it exits in America today.

             Governmental policy has long been scrutinized, criticized, and manipulated as to where it stands on issues regarding the vulnerable populations. Sometimes, governmental policy shifts, as it has somewhat regarding gays and lesbians serving in the military. Today, the governmental policy is "don't ask, don't tell," which is superficial at best. Gays and lesbians are forced to keep their sexual preferences a secret, just when much of the country is becoming more open and aware of gay and lesbian issues. For example, military leaders cannot come out and directly ask a service member if they are homosexual. However, they can investigate information that may lead to discovery of homosexual acts, and they can discharge a soldier if they are found to be truly or openly homosexual. Thus, the military is operating in a paradox, where they hide the fact that soldiers are gay unless the fact becomes well known. This is only one of many governmental policies that seems both ridiculous and harmful to the homosexual population who wants to serve in the military.