NCJ Number
46848
Journal
CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 1-9
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW IS UNDERTAKEN OF A POSITION PAPER DEVELOPED BY THE CALIFORNIA PROBATION, PAROLE AND CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION AND OUTLINING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSES.
Abstract
THE PAPER RESULTED FROM THE INTERAGENCY EFFORT OF GROUPS HAVING CLOSE CONTACT WITH CRIME VICTIMS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ASPECT OF THE PAPER IS ITS ADVOCACY STANCE, A CONCEPT WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THESE AGENCIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE PLIGHT OF VICTIMS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, AND THE AGENCIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST ASSUME LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING ABOUT THE CHANGE. AS THE PUBLIC BECOMES AWARE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY CONCERN FOR AND RESPONSIVENESS TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT OFFENDERS, THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC TO COOPERATE IN REPORTING CRIMES, ASSISTING POLICE, ACTING AS WITNESSES, AND SERVING AS JURORS. JUSTICE FUNCTIONS MAY ALSO BE ENHANCED AS A RESULT OF NEW DATA GATHERED IN THE COURSE OF INCREASED INVOLVEMENT WITH VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. AS MUCH AS ANYTHING ELSE, THE VICTIM NEEDS GREATER UNDERSTANDING FROM EVERYONE IN TH CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD. DIRECT SERVICES TO VICTIMS SHOULD INCLUDE PROMPT RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE CRIME AND IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO ANY SERVICES REQUIRED, SUCH AS EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDICAL CARE AND NOTIFICATION OF RELATIVES OF THE EMERGENCY. IN SOME INSTANCES, CARE FOR MINOR CHILDREN AND SECURITY CHECKS ON THE VICTIM'S HOME SHOULD BE PROVIDED. AN EFFORT SHOULD ALSO BE MADE TO QUICKLY RETURN PROPERTY. SPEEDY APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION THROUGH THE VICTIM OF VIOLENT CRIME COMPENSATION LAW SHOULD BE MADE. RESTITUTION BY THE OFFENDER SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN SENTENCING. AN IMPORTANT GROUP OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS WITNESSES. THE INDIFFERENCE, RUDENESS, AND INCONVENIENCE OF POSTPONED HEARINGS WITHOUT GIVING PRIOR NOTICE TO WITNESSES IS OFTEN DISCOURAGING. WITNESSES MUST BE KEPT ABREAST OF ALL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CASE, AND SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED BY THE SYSTEM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS IS THROUGH A CENTRAL COORDINATING PERSON OR AGENCY SPECIFICALLY CHARGED WITH MATCHING SYSTEM SERVICES TO WITNESS AND VICTIM NEEDS. THIS AGENCY SHOULD BE A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION, ALTHOUGH IT COULD BE STRUCTURALLY AFFILIATED WITH AN EXISTING CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY. THE AGENCY SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, THE MOST NATURAL GEOGRAPHIC AND POLITICAL DIVISION. IN LARGER METROPOLITAN AREAS, IT COULD BE A NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED AGENCY. (DJM)