NCJ Number
81408
Date Published
1981
Length
92 pages
Annotation
American and Canadian literature on criminal justice issues are presented for Canadian policymakers. The eight articles focus on issues involving the police, sentencing, corrections, juvenile justice, crime victims, and crime prevention.
Abstract
Excerpts from recent research on improving police productivity and management are reviewed, with attention to innovative practices in the management of criminal investigations, the use of special investigative teams and case screening, the use of routine preventive patrol and split-patrol forces, and in team policing and other police crime prevention efforts. Studies on the effectiveness of alternative sentences (probation, fines, reparative sanctions) are examined and contrasted with the effectiveness of imprisonment, and judicial discretion criteria are recommended. Another paper analyzes how well American determinate sentencing schemes have been structured to meet the objectives of determinacy and what the observed effects have been on the correctional system. It concludes that the objectives of determinacy have not been consistently met in recently passed statutes, implying that the transaction of determinate sentencing theory into practice is extremely difficult. Negative reviews of correctional effectiveness (regarding rehabilitation) are criticized, and future evaluation criteria are suggested. Research findings on the effectiveness of juvenile programs in the areas of diversion, probation, restitution, and commital to custody are reviewed as is recent research on crime victims in Canada (compared to U.S. victimization data). The incidence, seriousness, and response of the criminal justice system toward spouse assault are discussed, and the need for coordinated criminal justice system policies and procedures is emphasized. Finally, a brief overview of research findings on the effectiveness of the following crime prevention efforts is presented: offender oriented programs (education, vocational training), defensive approaches (police patrol, crime prevention information campaigns), and situational analysis and environmental design. Chapter notes/references are supplied.