HANDLING THE PUBLIC PROTEST

• NCJ Number: 53215
• Author(s): N WHISKIN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: National Assoc for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A STRATEGY FOR GAINING THE SUPPORT OF NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATORS, AND LOCAL POLITICIANS FOR A RESIDENTIALLY BASED OFFENDER PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE STRATEGY PROPOSED GIVES ATTENTION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT PROPOSAL, GAINING SUPPORT FROM APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, POLITICAL SUPPORT, APPROACHING LOCAL RESIDENTS, PUBLIC PROTEST MEETINGS, HANDLING THE MEDIA, AND MARSHALLING ARGUMENTS FOR THE PROJECT. IT IS INDICATED THAT THE FIRST TASK IS TO CONSTRUCT A CLEAR AND CONCISE PROJECT PROPOSAL, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THE PROJECT AIMS TO DO, THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT IN THE LOCALITY, AND WHO AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE USING THE FACILITIES. INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAFF AND MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES, THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING CLIENTS, AND PARTICULARLY THE SUPERVISION OF THE CLIENTS SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. THE NEXT STEP IS INDICATED TO BE THE GAINING OF GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY FROM STRATEGIC PERSONNEL IN PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE. OTHER NEEDED LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS ALSO IDENTIFIED. LOCALLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ARE SAID TO BE MOST LIKELY PERSUADED TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT AFTER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT HAS BEEN OBTAINED. LOCAL RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS OR COMMUNITY COUNCILS ARE NOTED TO BE FREQUENTLY POLITICALLY INFLUENTIAL AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE APPROACHED TO GAIN THEIR SUPPORT. LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHO WILL NORMALLY HEAR ABOUT THE PROPOSED PROJECT THROUGH PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, SHOULD BE APPROACHED THROUGH LETTERS AND PERSONAL VISITS IN ORDER TO EXPLAIN THE PROGRAM. THE APPROACH TO BE TAKEN IS DESCRIBED. IT IS ADVISED THAT PUBLIC PROTEST MEETINGS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IF POSSIBLE, BUT SHOULD ONE OCCUR, ADVICE IS GIVEN ON WHAT INFORMATION TO PRESENT AND ATTITUDES TO BE PROJECTED. RELATIONS WITH THE MEDIA ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED, AND ARGUMENTS TO BOLSTER THE PROJECT, ALONG WITH PITFALLS TO BE AVOIDED, ARE LISTED. SAMPLE LETTERS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ONE SUMMARIZING THE RESULTS OF A CENSUS OF NEIGHBORHOOD OPINION ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)