NCJ Number
187298
Date Published
1999
Length
202 pages
Annotation
This book addresses three main issues: the practical case for greater community involvement in criminal justice, the philosophical basis for community-oriented criminal justice, and the features of a community-oriented justice practice.
Abstract
The introduction advises that there is no standard formula for a community justice program. The design of a particular community justice approach will depend on the interlocking traditions of the neighborhood's community organizations, justice system practices, and crime problems. An overview of the community justice movement is provided in the first chapter, with attention to recent innovations, elements of community justice, and questions about community justice. The interaction of crime, community, and criminal justice is addressed in chapter 2. It discusses the community context of crime, the importance of the quality of community life for controlling crime, community action to control crime, and the formal criminal justice response to crime. This chapter advises that external intervention by criminal justice agencies does little to build those community resources that are necessary for preventing and mitigating the effects of crime. Chapter 3 presents a positive view of community life, as it envisions a community life that is rich enough to accommodate the interests of individuals, their self-determination, and the demands of a social existence in which individuals must cooperate with others to ensure social order, institutional vitality, and the production of collective goods. Principles of a democratic community justice are outlined in chapter 4, as it discusses the recovering of community shattered by crime, the role of the justice system, and the community justice process. The aim of the latter process is the recovery of community in the face of crime. This involves responsiveness to the needs and concerns of crime victims; reintegration of the offender into the community as a full-fledged and contributing member; and restoration of community confidence in both parties' participation in community life. The three remaining chapters consider principles of egalitarian justice, the realization of community justice, and the evaluation of community justice initiatives. 254 references and a subject index