INCREASING THE IMPACT OF RESEARCH ON PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS (FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS ASSOCIATION, INC - PROCEEDINGS..., 1978 - SEE NCJ-63086)

• NCJ Number: 63093
• Author(s): J P HARRIS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Justice Research and Statistics Association
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

GUIDELINES FOR USING RESEARCH RESULTS TO IMPACT CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY DECISIONS ARE DISCUSSED, BASED UPON THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE SENTENCING COMMISSION.

Abstract

IN 1976, THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY CREATED A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE VARIETY OF WAYS IN WHICH CRIMINALS COULD BE SENTENCED AND TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS AND LEGISLATION. THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED A DETERMINATE SENTENCING SYSTEM WITH DECREASED CORRECTIONAL GOOD TIME ALLOWANCES AND THE ELIMINATION OF PAROLE. THE COMMISSION'S WORK AND CONCLUSIONS WERE BASED UPON THE FINDINGS OF RELEVANT RESEARCH IN THE AREAS OF SENTENCING AND CORRECTIONS. CERTAIN LESSONS ABOUT THE USE OF RESEARCH ANALYSIS IN PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONMAKING WERE LEARNED THROUGH THE COMMISSION'S EXPERIENCE. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ANY CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE IS TO INFORM POLICYMAKERS ABOUT ISSUES INVOLVED IN THEIR DECISIONMAKING. RESEARCH, THEREFORE, MUST ORIENT ITSELF TO THE NEEDS AND REALITIES OF THE POLITICAL ARENA. FURTHER, RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS MUST MAKE KNOWN TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS THE KINDS OF SERVICES THEY OFFER AND HOW THEY RELATE TO THE POLICYMAKING ENDEAVORS OF OFFICIALS IN PARTICULAR AREAS. THE CULTIVATION OF A LIAISON BETWEEN RESEARCH ENTERPRISES AND PUBLIC DECISIONMAKING BODIES IS THE PRIMARY MEANS FOR CLOSING THE TRADITIONAL GAP BETWEEN SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND PUBLIC POLICY.