NCJ Number
58463
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE ON HOW THE AMERICAN TRADITION OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND ACTIVISM CAN BE APPLIED TO THE PROBLEMS OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE ADVANTAGES OF SUCH AN APPROACH ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
THE NEED TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS IN KEEPING WITH THE AMERICAN TRADITION OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND ACTIVISM. TODAY, THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM HAS GROWN TO AN UNWIELDY SIZE, WITH AN ENTRENCHED BUREAUCRACY AND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. REFORM IS POSSIBLE ONLY IF THE 'EXPERTS,' PROFESSIONALS, CITIZENS, AND THOSE CAUGHT IN THE SYSTEM BECOME INVOLVED IN WORKING TOGETHER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ADVANTAGES TO SUCH AN APPROACH, INCLUDING INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE CITIZENRY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW INSIGHTS CONCERNING CAUSATION AND PREVENTION OF CRIME (FLYNN AND DUISICK,1976). CITIZEN INPUT CAN COME FROM CHURCH GROUPS, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND UNIVERSITIES. IN ADDITION, IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE IN SUCH AREAS AS POLICE EFFECTIVENESS, ALTERNATIVES TO PRISONS, AND EFFECTING CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM. CITIZEN PROGRAMS SHOULD BE WELL CONCEIVED AND IMPLEMENTED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO ENSURE THAT THE GROUP CAN OBJECTIVELY CRITICIZE THE SYSTEM WHEN CHANGE IS NEEDED. SUCH INVOLVEMENT SHOULD PROCEED FROM AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SYSTEM. WHATEVER ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN, THE CITIZEN GROUP SHOULD CAREFULLY EVALUATE THE OUTCOME OF ITS EFFORTS. IN THIS WAY, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO GET AT THE ROOT OF CRIME AND, AT THE SAME TIME, DEVELOP A SOCIETY WHICH WILL STRESS INVOLVEMENT AND CONCERN. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP).