NCJ Number
30175
Date Published
1974
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE KEY TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF CRIME IN AMERICA IS WHAT THE AUTHOR TERMS THE OPEN NATURE OF AMERICAN SOCIETY WITH ITS INSTITUTIONS AND SUPPORTING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF MAN.
Abstract
THE OPEN SOCIETY IS STRONG BECAUSE IT POSSESSES SELF-CORRECTING MECHANISMS WHICH ASSURE ITS LEGITIMACY AND STABILITY. IT IS PRECARIOUS BECAUSE THESE INSTITUTIONS FLOURISH ONLY WHEN ADMINISTERED UNDER OPEN CONDITIONS, SUBJECT TO THE INFORMED SCRUTINY OF THE CITIZENS THEY SERVE. THE AUTHOR CONSIDERS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS AN EXAMPLE OF A CLOSED SOCIAL SYSTEM WHICH CREATES HUMAN SUFFERING WITHOUT ACHIEVING THE GOALS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED. HE OUTLINES A CRIME CONTROL MODEL BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RECONCILING THE NEEDS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOR A CLOSED SYSTEM WITH THE NEEDS OF THE OPEN SOCIETY WHICH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)