JUSTICE IN ALBERTA (CANADA) - A CITIZEN'S LOOK AT THE LAW

• NCJ Number: 44916
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 91 pages
• Corporate Author: Edmonton Social Planning Council
• Sale Source: Edmonton Social Planning Council
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE BASIC STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN ALBERTA IS OUTLINED, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION, POLICE, INCARCERATION AND ITS ALTERNATIVES, AND REENTRY OF THE CRIMINAL INTO SOCIETY.

Abstract

BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE TREATMENT OF CRIMINALS, THE AVERAGE CITIZEN OFTEN DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE PARTICULAR SOCIETY. THE VOLUME BEGINS WITH A LIST OF THOSE FUNCTIONS WHICH A HUMANE SYSTEM OF JUSTICE SHOULD PERFORM: (1) ASSURE EACH CITIZEN FULL ENJOYMENT OF HIS/HER LIBERTY; (2) SPECIFY BEHAVIOR WHICH IS DEEMED DETRIMENTAL TO THAT SOCIETY, BY THAT SOCIETY; (3) ASSURE EACH CITIZEN OF EQUALITY; AND (4) MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE MOST EFFICIENT METHOD OF PROTECTING SOCIETY FROM, AND PREVENTING OFFENDERS FROM COMMITTING, FUTURE ANTISOCIAL ACTS. MOST OF THE REPORT IS DEVOTED TO THE PROCEDURES BY WHICH JUSTICE IS ADMINISTERED, RATHER THAN DIRECTLY TO EITHER CRIME OR CRIMINALS. SPECIFIC STRUCTURES OF THE JUDICIAL/CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND HOW THEY OPERATE ARE EXAMINED. THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN THE INVESTIGATION, APPREHENSION, AND PREVENTION OF CRIME; THE QUESTION OF COMMUNITY-POLICE RELATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLICE WORK; AND PRESENTENCE PROCEDURES ARE DISCUSSED. THE AREA OF SENTENCING IS EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE POWERS OF JUDGES, THE SENTENCING DISPOSITIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM, HOW THEY EXERCISE THESE POWERS, THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT SENTENCING DISPOSITIONS ON OFFENDERS, AND VIABLE OPTIONS TO INCARCERATION. THE FINAL MAJOR SECTION OF THE REPORT CONSIDERS THE PROBLEMS WHICH THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED A TERM IN PRISON FACE UPON REENTRY INTO SOCIETY AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS, SUCH AS HALF-WAY HOUSES AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CENTERS. APPENDIXES LIST INDICTABLE OFFENSES IN CANADA AND POSSIBLE PUNISHMENTS, GIVE DATA ON THE USE OF PAROLE, AND BRIEFLY DESCRIBE EACH OF ALBERTA'S PROVINCIAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.