STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE - A REPORT ON CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA PREPARED FOR THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE

• NCJ Number: 5270
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 188 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: American Friends Service Cmtte
• Sale Source: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux
• Note: HV9471.A4

Annotation

A CONSIDERATION OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE OFFENDER, BALANCING HIS RIGHTS AND NEEDS AGAINST SOCIETY'S WELL-BEING.

Abstract

THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE INEQUITIES AND REPRESSIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - ITS USE TO PERPETUATE THE SECOND CLASS STATUS OF MINORITIES AND POOR PEOPLE, TO COMBAT DIFFERING LIFE STYLES, AND TO SILENCE THOSE WHO MIGHT CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO. SOME OF THE REFORMS THE AUTHORS URGE ARE (1) DOING AWAY WITH INDETERMINATE SENTENCING AND MINIMIZING THE DISCRETIONARY POWERS OF POLICE, JUDGES, AND OTHER FUNCTIONARIES, (2) REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ACTS CONSIDERED CRIMES, (3) APPLYING THE CRIMINAL LAWS UNIFORMLY, (4) SEPARATING TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT (AND MAKING THERAPY AND COUNSELING AVAILABLE TO ALL PRISONERS, BUT ON A TRULY VOLUNTARY BASIS), (5) RECOGNIZING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PRISONERS AND INSURING THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS, AND (6) INCREASING THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THROUGH VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS - INCLUDING ASSOCIATIONS OF PRISONERS AND EX-PRISONERS.