NCJ Number
43099
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
HIGHER EDUCATION CAN PLAY A SIGNIFICANT PART IN REDUCING CRIME BY ASSISTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
SINCE CRIME HAS REACHED EXCESSIVE PROPORTIONS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES, SOCIETY MUST ASK ITSELF HOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN REDUCE THOSE CRIME RATES. HIGHER EDUCATION CAN MAKE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THIS ENDEAVOR. RESEARCH CAN PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO BLACK CRIME, CONFINEMENT, AND REHABILITATION. RESEARCH IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, HOWEVER, IS OFTEN 'AGENCY DETERMINED', AND SERVES POLITICAL OR INSTITUTIONAL INTERESTS. IT IS NOTED THAT HIGHER EDUCATION, WHICH IS NOT SUBORDINATE TO AGENCY MANDATE, CAN RETAIN THE OBJECTIVITY NECESSARY FOR SCHOLARLY RESEARCH. SINCE BLACKS HAVE BEEN UDERREPRESENTED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONS, POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS NEED TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT BLACKS IN THEIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CORRECTIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW PRORAMS. IN ADDITION, POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INMATES. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, PARTICULARY THOSE INTERESTED IN CORRECTIONAL COUNSELING, CAN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTARY INMATE PROGRAMS, WHICH WOULD BE OF THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO INMATES. FINALLY, HIGHER EDUCATION COULD BECOME INVOLVED WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AFFAIRS IN THE COMMUNITY, CONTRIBUTING TO PROGRAM SUCH AS PRERELEASE, WORK RELEASE, PAROLE, DIVERSIFICATION, THERAPY, AND SPECIAL SERVICES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.