NCJ Number
59796
Date Published
1978
Length
280 pages
Annotation
PRIMARILY DESIGNED FOR CLASSROOM USE, THIS TEXTBOOK DISCUSSES CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT ARE OF POTENTIAL USE TO ANY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONER.
Abstract
THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK DEALS WITH THE TOPICS OF CRIME AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONCEPT OF JUSTICE IN AMERICA CENTERS ON THE NEED TO REFORM THE COURTS, A PROCESS USUALLY HAMPERED BY POLITICS. THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM'S MANY COMPONENTS IS SEEN AS A CONTINUING ACTIVITY WHICH MUST COMBINE GOALS, ALTERNATIVES, AND EVALUATIVE MEASURES TO ACHIEVE RATIONAL DECISIONMAKING. THE CONTROVERSIES OVER DETERMINATE VERSUS INDETERMINATE SENTENCING, THE FEDERAL 'SPEEDY TRIAL ACT OF 1974,' BAIL-BOND, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FRAUD, AND THE DISPOSITION OF PERSONS UTILIZING THE INSANITY PLEA (ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS) ARE EXAMINED THROUGH CASE STUDIES AND MODEL ANALYSES. AN OVERVIEW OF VICTIMOLOGY OUTLINES THE STATE OF THE ART, REVIEWS THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS, AND PRESENTS SOME OF THE PROGRAMS BEING DEVELOPED TO TREAT VICTIMS. THE SECOND PART OF THE TEXT FOCUSES ON THE POLICE OFFICER. SEVERAL CHAPTERS TREAT THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE DEGREE OF STRESS ON POLICE OFFICERS FROM THEIR OCCUPATIONS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM FOR A LARGE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE USE OF BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING IN ALLEVIATION OF STRESS IN POLICE OFFICERS. ADVICE ON POLICE ASSERTIVENESS IS GIVEN AS A MEANS TO ENHANCE SELF-ESTEEM. A PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED THAT DEALS WITH INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF ALCOHOL ABUSE. MEASURES FOR ASSESSING PERSONS FOR ENTRY INTO THE POLICE FORCE ARE DESCRIBED, AS ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT INNOVATIONS AND THE INCREASE IN PROFESSIONALISM AMONG POLICE FORCES. THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IS DESCRIBED AS EVIDENCE OF THE GROWING NEED TO PROTECT POLICE RIGHTS IN CIVIL SUITS. PERSPECTIVES ARE GIVEN ON POLICE CORRUPTION. A FINAL SECTION DESCRIBES ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS. JUVENILE DELINQUENT CORRECTIONS, CRIME PREVENTION, MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR RELEASING PUBLIC OFFENDERS ARE DISCUSSED. THE TEXT ANALYSES PRISON CONDITIONS AND ALTERNATIVES; JAIL CRISIS, THEIR CAUSES AND CONTROL; AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN CORRECTIONS. NOTES SUPPLEMENT EACH CHAPTER AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (MHP)