NCJ Number
66155
Journal
YOUTH AUTHORITY QUARTERLY Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1979) Pages: 5-8
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CORRECTIONS FIELD OF THE TAXPAYERS' REVOLT AND AN APPROACH TO COUNTER THE TREND TOWARD REDUCED RESOURCES ARE DISCUSSED, WITH THE FOCUS ON THE SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
CALIFORNIA'S PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 13 SYMBOLIZES A GENERAL PUBLIC DISSATISFACTION WITH THE COST AND EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC SERVICES. WHILE THE SENTIMENT MAY BE JUSTIFIABLE, THE TAXPAYER REVOLT WOULD BETTER SERVE THE CITIZEN BY EMPLOYING STRATEGY THAT SELECTIVELY EXAMINES THE COST-BENEFIT OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES. TRADITIONALLY, CORRECTIONS HAS RECEIVED THE BRUNT OF ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT RESOURCES BECAUSE THE CLIENTS SERVED ARE HELD IN LOW ESTEEM AND PAST CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HAVE NOT BEEN PERCEIVED AS EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING CRIME. THE MEDIA SHOULD EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHAT CORRECTIONS CAN ACCOMPLISH AND WHY THE PUBLIC MUST BECOME INVOLVED IN CORRECTIONAL EFFORTS. INFORMED, INVOLVED CITIZENS ALWAYS PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR A WIDER AREA OF SUPPORT AT BUDGET TIME. IN CALIFORNIA, TWO KINDS OF ORGANIZATIONS SERVE AS NUCLEI FOR GROWING CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN CORRECTIONS. THE PASSAGE OF ASSEMBLY BILL 90 CREATED A COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM SUBVENTION PROGRAM, THROUGH WHICH THE STATE EARMARKED $55 MILLION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTIES. A SECOND GROUP IS EACH COUNTY'S JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS COMPRISED LARGELY OF CITIZENS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF YOUNG PEOPLE. THE COMMISSIONS INITIATE PROGRAMS THAT PROMISE IMPROVEMENT IN JUVENILE PROGRAMS. EXPANDED CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONCERNS OF SOCIAL CONTROL IN GENERAL AND CORRECTIONS IN PARTICULAR CAN ONLY INCREASE PUBLIC INCENTIVES TO GIVE THE RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OFFENDERS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL COMMUNITY. (RCB)