NCJ Number
59336
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
IN THE CONTINUING INTERPLAY OF THEORIES AND REALITY WITHIN THE FIELD OF CRIMINOLOGY, CRIMINOLOGISTS SHOULD NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE NECESSITY FOR CREATING A JUST AND HUMANE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
FEW CRIMINOLOGISTS DENY THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP INCREASE IN CRIME AND A SHARP CONFLICT WITHIN CRIMINOLOGY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. THESE CONFLICTS HAVE CREATED A SITUATION IN WHICH HARD-LINE LAW AND ORDER ADVOCATES HAVE COME TO DOMINATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY. WHAT IS LACKING IN SUCH AN APPROACH IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT THAT CRIME DERIVES FROM THE MORAL AMBIANCE AND STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY. IT FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIETAL TOLERANCE OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME AND THE INCREASE IN STREET CRIME. THE HARD-LINE CALL FOR STRICT PUNISHMENT OF CRIMINALS HAS GAINED INCREASING ACCEPTANCE EVEN THOUGH EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT SUCH AN APPROACH HAS NOT PROVIDED THE ANSWER. WITH THE DOMINANCE OF THE HARD-LINE APPROACH REAL DANGERS EXIST THAT SIGNIFICANT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS MAY BE SACRIFICED IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A GREATER SENSE OF SOCIETAL SECURITY. IN ADDITION, THE INCREASING USE OF CORRECTIONAL REFORMS AS DETERMINATE SENTENCING POSES THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ABUSE RESULTING IN DEHUMANIZED AND BRUTAL INSTITUTIONS. HOWEVER, THESE REFORMS CAN ALSO BE GEARED AT CREATING MORE HUMANE AND EFFECTIVE FACILITIES. THE NECESSARY RESPONSE TO CRIME IS JUSTICE THROUGHOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (IN POLICE OPERATIONS, THE COURTS AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.) REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.