NCJ Number
55098
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE FUNCTION AND PROBLEMS OF THE CONSULTANT IN CRIMINOLOGY SPECIALIZING IN SOCIAL PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE CRIMINOLOGY CONSULTANT PLAYS THE ROLE OF AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT ADVISOR IN SUCH MATTERS AS JUVENILE DRUG USE IN THE VICINITY OF A MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, SCHOOL VANDALISM, OR PRISON FUNCTION. THE DISADVANTAGES OF INDEPENDENCE ARE THAT HIS SUGGESTIONS MAY NOT BE FOLLOWED AND THAT HE CANNOT INSTITUTE THE FINAL PROJECT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PLANS UNLESS HE ALSO CHOOSES TO WORK ON THE PRACTICAL LEVEL. THE CONSULTANT IS ESSENTIALLY A RESEARCHER WHO MUST ANALYZE EACH SEPARATE SITUATION. FOR EXAMPLE, IN EVALUATING A YOUTH CENTER HE MUST ASK SUCH QUESTIONS AS WHICH YOUTHS SEEK ADVICE THERE, WHAT PROBLEMS FACE THE INTERVIEWER TEAM, AND WHAT LEGAL SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE; TO INITIATE ACTION, HE MUST GATHER STATISTICS, DESIGN A STRATEGY, INTRODUCE WEEKLY TEAM MEETINGS TO DISCUSS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AREAS AND CASES WITH INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBERS, AND ESTABLISH STATISTICAL TABLES. CONSULTANTS CAN ALSO SERVE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN RESEARCHING SUCH ISSUES AS THE PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH A PARENT IN PRISON, BY PRESENTING RESEARCH RESULTS AT INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS, OR BY FORMING AN INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT FOR A PROJECT. THE CRIMINOLOGIST CONSULTANT RUNS THE RISK OF BECOMING NOTHING MORE THAN AN AGENT FOR SOCIAL CONTROL; HE CAN, HOWEVER, FUNCTION IN MANY OTHER AREAS, AS CRIMINOLOGISTS ARE, BECAUSE OF THEIR MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION, WELL EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS RAISED IN WORK OR RESEARCH TEAMS. TO AVOID ISOLATION AND TO ACQUIRE NEEDED CONTINUING EDUCATION, INFORMATION EXCHANGE, AND SUPERVISORY ASSISTANCE, THE CRIMINOLOGIST SHOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH A CONSULTING FIRM SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR LAWYERS AND ENGINEERS. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)