CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE - OPPORTUNITY, CONSTRAINT, AND THE ARROGANCE OF THE LAW

• NCJ Number: 36745
• Journal: JOURNAL OF VOLUNTARY ACTION RESEARCH Volume: 4 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1975) Pages: 69-74
• Author(s): J V TIL
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Association of Voluntary Action Scholars
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

THIS PAPER CONTENDS THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SOCIAL POLICY AREAS IN THAT DECISION MAKERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A COLLECTIVE MOBILIZATION OF BIAS AGAINST CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.

Abstract

ONE INSTANCE OF PLURALIST PARTICIPATION, THE CREATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LAW AND JUSTICE INSTITUTE IN 1972, IS DESCRIBED TO SUPPORT THIS HYPOTHESIS. THIS LEAA-FUNDED PROGRAM SEEKS TO CREATE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS, AND CITIZEN LEADERS FOR SYSTEM REFORM THROUGH CONSENSUS BUILDING USING CITIZEN EDUCATION, DIALOGUE, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOUR MAJOR PROBLEMS OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ARE IDENTIFIED AND IDSCUSSED - THE ISOLATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS FROM POLICY-ORIENTED CITIZEN PARTICIPATION; THE QUESTION OF PROPORTIONAL MINORITY PARTICIPATION; ACCESS TO THE MASS MEDIA; AND THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL FUNDING ON THE CONTROL OF SOCIAL CHANGE ORGANIZATIONS. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALSO SUGGESTED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.