NCJ Number
29996
Date Published
1975
Length
281 pages
Annotation
AN HISTORICAL, EMPIRICAL, AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DILEMMAS FACING THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TODAY - INCREASING VIOLENCE, LOW CLEARANCE RATES, OVERCROWDED COURTS, AND BAD PRISON CONDITIONS.
Abstract
DEWOLF DIVES BELOW THE SURFACE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME TO PLUMB ITS CULTURAL CAUSES. HE FINDS TWO CONTRADICTORY AMERICAN PSYCHES -AMERICA A AND AMERICA B- ONE OF BENEVOLENCE AND COMMUNITY, THE OTHER OF ARROGANCE AND SELFISHNESS, COEXISTING FROM THE BEGINNINGS OF THE REPUBLIC. THIS CULTURAL SPLIT HAS CARRIED OVER INTO OUR PENAL SYSTEM, WHERE REHABILITATION BECOMES BLENDED WITH VENGEFUL PUNISHMENT. THE RESULT IS A SYSTEM WITH NO COHERENT PHILOSOPHY. APPEALING TO THE POSITIVE INSTINCTS OF OUR NATIONAL PSYCHE AND DRAWING ON THE THOUGHT OF SUCH LEGAL PHILOSOPHERS AS JOHN RAWLS, ROSCOE POUND, AND MARC ANCEL, DEWOLF ACHIEVES A COHESIVE SYSTEM OF SOCIAL DEFENSE AND RESTORATION. HERE THE VICTIM OF CRIMES IS GIVEN THE ATTENTION AND HELP SO LACKING TODAY. POLICE PROCEDURES AS WELL AS THE JUDICIARY AND PENAL SYSTEMS ARE RATIONALLY REORDERED. THE REFORMS PROPOSED ARE BOTH SPECIFIC AND VARIED, FROM RELIEVING THE COURTS OF CERTAIN MINOR OFFENSES TO SCALING FINES TO THE ABILITY TO PAY THEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)