NCJ Number
48822
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS RELATING TO CRIME IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN SOCIETY ARE DISCUSSED BY NOTED CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPERTS IN THESE TAPED PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1977 CONVOCATION OF THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
THE CONVOCATION DISCUSSES MANY ASPECTS OF REFORM FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. CONGRESSMAN ROBERT ECKHARDT ADDRESSES THE QUESTION OF LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRIME CONTROL. IN HIS OPINION THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM DISCIMINATES AGAINST A LARGE GROUP OF MINORITIES. IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS OF THE SYSTEM, IT MUST BE BETTER ORIENTED TOWARD AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY. JUDGE DAVID BAZELON SAYS THAT THE PRISON SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING IN ITS PRESENT STATE, SO REFORMS MUST BE MADE TO LOWER THE RECIDIVISM RATE. HE STRESSES THE USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SECOND OFFENDERS AND FEELS THAT THE FAMILY STRUCTURE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY ALSO MUST BE CHANGED. CONGRESSMAN PETER RODINO CLAIMS THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DRIFTING AIMLESSLY TOWARD NO END; IN ORDER TO SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS, POSITIVE ACTION INVOLVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS SHOULD BE TAKEN. CHANGES CANNOT BE MADE EASILY, BUT SOCIAL PROBLEMS MUST BE RESOLVED, AND VIOLENT OFFENDERS SHOULD BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE TO CRIME. ACCORDING TO SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY, THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME MUST BE ADDRESSED, NOT ONLY TO REDUCE THE CRIME RATE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY. HE ALSO ASKS FOR THE RECODIFICATION OF CRIMINAL LAW. JURIST NORVAL MORRIS CALLS FOR THE REORDERING OF PRIORITIES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE GREATER EFFECTIVENESS. AS WITH ALL REFORM PROCESSES, THIS WILL TAKE TIME. TWO PANEL DISCUSSIONS ADDRESS THE FUTURE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND CRIME. FOR OTHER TAPES IN THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ 48823-48829. (BAC)