INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY (FROM CRITICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1979, BY R G IACOVETTA AND DAE H CHANG - SEE NCJ-63717)

• NCJ Number: 63749
• Author(s): C T MANGRUM
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Carolina Academic Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE FAILURES OF CORRECTIONS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE DUE IN PART TO THE FAILURE TO HOLD THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS.

Abstract

THE BASIC PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING EFFECTIVE CORRECTIONS IS THE CONCEPT OF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY; THAT IS, THE OFFENDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS AND LIABLE FOR THEIR CONSEQUENCES. THIS ESSAY EXAMINES THE CENTRAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IDENTIFYING IT AS HAVING A DUTY TO NAME THE CRIMINAL ACT, INTERVENE, AND A DUTY CAUSE THE OFFENDER TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO HOLD OFFENDERS RESPONSIBLE, EITHER BECAUSE OF OVERRELIANCE ON MEDICAL MODELS OR ON THEORIES OF ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL INADEQUACY, ACTS TO ENCOURAGE EXCUSES AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HELPING OFFENDERS TO ASSUME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDE (1) FOCUS ON BEHAVIOR AND CORRECTING BEHAVIOR; (2) CLEARLY STATE EXPECTATIONS OF BEHAVIOR; (3) IMMEDIATELY CONFRONT ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR; (4) MAKE THE OFFENDER ANSWERABLE ONLY FOR WHAT HE HAS ACTUALLY DONE; (5) TREAT THE OFFENDER IN A LAWFUL MANNER; (6) REINFORCE DESIRED BEHAVIOR; (7) IMPOSE EQUAL DEEDS. DISCUSSSION QUESIONS AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)