NCJ Number
45783
Editor(s)
J D STINCHCOMB
Date Published
1978
Length
547 pages
Annotation
THE COMPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS ANALYZED IN A TEXT INTENDED FOR USE IN INTRODUCTORY COLLEGE COURSES ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
THE TEXT EXAMINES THE NETWORK OF AGENCIES AND PROCESSES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIME PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, APPREHENSION, PROSECUTION, DEFENSE, CONVICTION, SENTENCING, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES. THE TEXT OPENS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE SYSTEMS APPROACH TO EXAMINING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNITY CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OPERATES. SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS ARE DESCRIPTIVE IN NATURE, COVERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE, COURT, CORRECTIONAL, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE AGENCIES; THEIR OPERATION; AND RELATED ISSUES, PROBLEMS, AND POLICY QUESTIONS. A MODEL OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED, AND THE INTERNAL OPERATIONS OF EACH COMPONENT OF THE SYSTEM (POLICE, COURTS, CORRECTIONS, JUVENILE JUSTICE) ARE EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO EXPLAINING HOW AGENCY AND SYSTEMWIDE GOALS ARE ADDRESSED. CLOSING CHAPTERS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH AND THE FUTURE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE RETURN TO THE MATTER OF COMMUNITY CONTEXT, DISCUSSING EVALUATION APPROACHES AND THE PROSPECTS FOR SOCIAL CONTROL IN A CHANGING SOCIETY.