NEW DIRECTIONS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS, PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS SYSTEMS ... PROCEEDINGS, 1979 ... - SEE NCJ-63648)

• NCJ Number: 63652
• Author(s): J W EKSTEDT
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: SEARCH Group Inc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS 1979 SYMPOSIUM ADDRESS DISCUSSES CHANGES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION IN CANADA OVER THE PAST DECADE.

Abstract

THESE CHANGES WERE CAUSED BY THE SOCIAL CRITICISM AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY IN THE 1960'S LEADING TO NEW RIGHTS AND ASSISTANCE FOR CRIMINALS; NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS; AND CLOSER COOPERATION AMONG FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, AND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES. OPERATIONAL AREAS OF COOPERATION HAVE INCLUDED POLICING AGREEMENTS, DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHERS. CHANGES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT; NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES HAVE PRODUCED PROGRAMS SUCH AS NONINSTITUTIONAL, COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS AND PUBLIC LEGAL EDUCATION. THE IMPETUS FOR THESE NEW PROGRAMS, THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ACT OF 1975, WAS INTENDED TO RELEASE NEW PROGRAM FUNDS FOR SERVICES DIRECTLY THROUGH APPROPRIATE MINISTERS RATHER THAN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND WITHOUT NORMAL BUREAUCRATIC ENCUMBRANCES. REQUIRING JOINT PLANNING, COURT ADMINISTRATION, PREVIOUSLY A MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITY, WAS MADE PROVINCIAL. OFFICIALS ADMINISTERING CRIMINAL JUSTICE AREAS BEGAN JOINTLY TO PLAN AND MAKE POLICY. BRITISH COLUMBIA ALSO DEVELOPED A POLICE COMMISSION TO OVERSEE POLICE TRAINING AND CONDUCT AND JUSTICE COUNCILS TO INTEGRATE CITIZENS' NEEDS WITH PLANNING. CANADIAN OFFICIALS HAVE RECOGNIZED A LACK OF MANAGEMENT AND POLICYMAKING INFORMATION AND HAVE APPOINTED TASK FORCES TO DEVELOP DATA SYSTEMS FOR ALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION SERVICES. (PAP)