NCJ Number
49279
Date Published
1976
Length
69 pages
Annotation
THE GOAL OF THIS BOOKLET IS TO ASSIST DEBATERS IN DEVELOPING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS RELATED TO HOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES CAN BE IMPROVED.
Abstract
THREE DEBATE OR DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ARE POSED: (1) WHAT PROGRAMS SHOULD BE ADOPTED TO IMPROVE THE PENAL SYSTEM? (2) WHAT REFORMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS CAN PROVIDE A MORE EQUITABLE SYSTEM OF JUSTICE FOR ALL CITIZENS? AND (3) WHAT POLICIES SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ADOPT CONCERNING THE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS BY CITIZENS? DEBATE PROPOSITIONS ARE THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF PENAL REFORM SHOULD BE INSTITUTED, THAT A UNIFORM CODE OF PRETRIAL PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES FOR ALL FELONIES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, AND THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF COMPULSORY GUN CONTROL SHOULD BE INITIATED. MATERIALS TO AID IN THE DEBATE PROCESS BROADLY DEAL WITH THE NEED FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, PROCEDURAL STEPS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PENAL REFORM, THE LACK OF UNIFORM CODES, AND GUN CONTROL. SPECIFIC ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO CRIME RATES AND STATISTICS, POLICE DETECTION OF CRIME, PROSECUTION, ADJUDICATION, CORRECTIONS (PROBATION, INCARCERATION, AND PAROLE), TREATMENT, VICTIMLESS CRIMES, THE PRISON POPULATION, RECIDIVISM, CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS, PRETRIAL DELAY, PUBLIC APATHY, OVERCROWDING IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS, ANTIQUATED FACILITIES, EFFECTS OF LONG SENTENCES, DEPERSONALIZATION, QUALITY OF PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTERS, MANDATORY SENTENCES, PRISONER RIGHTS AND GRIEVANCES, AND THE NEED FOR UNIFORM CRIMINAL CODES. A READING LIST IS PROVIDED. (DEP)