UNITY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - A RHETORICAL QUESTION

• NCJ Number: 48721
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 324-329
• Author(s): B GRAINGER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Assoc for the Prevention of Crime
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE CANADIAN CONGRESS OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS, CALGARY, ALBERTA, JULY 1977

Annotation

THE NEED FOR SETTING CRIMINAL JUSTICE GOALS COMMON TO ALL JUSTICE SERVICES IS DISCUSSED, AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR AN INTEGRATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CONTRAST TO A UNIFIED SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED.

Abstract

IT IS HELD THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY VERY LITTLE CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG POLICE, COURT, AND CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL OF WORKING TOWARD COMMON GOALS THROUGH COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES. THE NEED FOR SETTING 'OFFICIAL' AND 'OPERATIVE' GOALS ACROSS SEPARATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IS BELIEVED IMPORTANT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: (1) PUBLIC RESPECT FOR JUSTICE DEMANDS CONSISTENCY IN THE QUALITY AND RATIONALE FOR SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM; (2) THE PUBLIC MUST PERCEIVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO BE EFFECTIVE AND ORGANIZED IF SUPPORT FOR EXPANDED PROGRAMS IS TO BE GAINED; (3) SUCCESSFUL CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES REQUIRE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH; (4) GREATER COORDINATION BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES WILL AID MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND REDUCE INTERAGENCY TENSIONS; AND (5) A BALANCING OF EXPENDITURES BETWEEN ENFORCEMENT, ADJUDICATION, AND CORRECTIONS CAN BE SERVED THROUGH AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO OPERATIONAL GOALS. INTEGRATION OF ALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES IS ADVOCATED RATHER THAN UNITY. THIS MEANS SEPARATE AGENCY IDENTITIES WOULD BE MAINTAINED, WHILE MECHANISMS FOR INCREASED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AGENCIES AND COORDINATED PLANNING FOR THE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES IN A BALANCED AND STRATEGIC WAY THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM WOULD BE DEVELOPED. (RCB)