NCJ Number
109699
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 494 Dated: (November 1987) Pages: 119-128
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The concepts of strengthening neighborhoods, job opportunities, and families as a basis for crime prevention can also serve as a framework for a criminal justice policy that is effective in stopping crime.
Abstract
Current criminal justice policy in the United States costs billions of dollars annually and provides little in return but despair. However, much is known about what to do to reduce crime. Community cohesion can be promoted and order maintained through innovative policing techniques that attack crime at the source while maintaining rapid response time and efficiency. New York's Community Patrol Officer Program is one such program. Similarly, timely, open, and orderly court processes build community confidence. Courts should also promote programs that mediate disputes between individuals in place of judicial proceedings. Furthermore, effective corrections programming centered on recidivism prevention could save billions in victimization and prison costs while dramatically reducing crime. Residential corrections and work release as alternatives to incarceration, community service sentencing, enhanced probation programs, education and employment programs for all prisoners able to use them, and programs to deal with substance abuse among prisoners would all be beneficial approaches in corrections. Correctional policies that contribute to strong family ties for offenders are also needed. 15 footnotes. (Author abstract modified)