NCJ Number
45257
Date Published
1974
Length
118 pages
Annotation
LITERATURE PERTAINING TO CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL POLICE, CORRECTIONS, AND LEGAL SERVICES IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE ANALYSIS IS TO ASSIST POLICYMAKERS IN ASSESSING THE UTILITY OF COMMITTEES, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURES AS CITIZEN PARTICIPATION MECHANISMS. THE GOALS, DECISIONMAKING STRUCTURES, CONSTITUENCIES, SERVICES, AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE LOCAL-LEVEL LEGAL SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED. A VALIDATION ANALYSIS IS EMPLOYED TO CLASSIFY THE LITERATURE AND TO ASSIGN VALIDATION RATINGS TO EACH SOURCE. ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE REVEALS THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS: (1) SATISFACTION WITH POLICE DOES NOT INCREASE WHEN CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES ARE INSTITUTED; (2) MANY PROGRAMS FAIL TO REACH PERSONS MOST IN CONFLICT WITH THE POLICE: (3) RECIDIVISM RATES ARE LOWERED IN PROBATION PROGRAMS THAT USE VOLUNTEERS; (4) VOLUNTEERS EXPAND THE SCOPE OF PROBATIONAL SERVICES; (5) OFFENDERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND CITIZENS UNDERGO POSITIVE ATTITUDINAL CHANGES AS A RESULT OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS; AND (6) CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT ON GOVERNING BOARDS OF NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES IS RELATED TO CLIENT SATISFACTION. RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ARE INCLUDED. AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-LKM)