NCJ Number
64925
Journal
REVISTA MEXICANA DE CIENCIAS PENALES Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (ENERO-JUNIO 1978) Pages: 187-202
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE VITAL NEED TO EVALUATE PENAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS IN TERMS OF SUCCESSFUL RESULTS RATHER THAN GOOD INTENTIONS IS EMPHASIZED IN VIEW OF THE INCREASE IN CRIME RATES AND CRIME CONTROL COSTS.
Abstract
DESPITE THE CONSTANTLY INCREASING FUNDS APPROPRIATE FOR PROGRAMS AIMED AT CRIME PREVENTION AND THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF PENAL LAWS, CRIME RATES ARE INCREASING. AN EVALUATION OF ALL THESE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS CALLED FOR THAT USES THE MANAGEMENT TOOLS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INVESTIGATION RESULTS INCLUDE THE LACK OF AUTHORITY ON THE INVESTIGATORS' PART, DISAGREEMENT ON GOALS AND CRITERIA, SUBJECTIVE EVALUATIONS OF RESULT DATA, AND POLITICAL OBSTACLES. INVESTIGATORS ARE ADVISED TO BE CONSTANTLY AWARE OF THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE AND OF THE SOURCES OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RESISTANCE TO THEIR INVESTIGATION. CRIMINOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ARE SAID TO BE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO SUCH PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICTING INTERESTS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF PENAL ADMINISTRATORS WITH REGARD TO PUNISHMENT, REHABILITATION, DETERRENCE, OR VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF ALL THESE IDEOLOGIES. IN ADDITION TO THOSE PROBLEMS WHICH ARE PECULIAR TO THE JUDICIAL AND CORRECTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT, INVESTIGATORS MUST ALSO OVERCOME THE APATHY COMMON TO ALL PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR, I.E., THE FEELING THAT ALL THEY CAN BE EXPECTED TO DO IS SURVIVE WITHOUT PROFITS AND THAT GOOD INTENTIONS ARE AS LIKELY TO BE REWARDED AS GOOD RESULTS. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)