NCJ Number
12122
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1973) Pages: 343-352
Date Published
1973
Length
10 pages
Annotation
CONTRIBUTIONS THE CITIZEN CAN MAKE TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES CITIZENS HAVE USED EFFECTIVELY.
Abstract
SINCE CRIME BECAME A NATIONAL POLITICAL ISSUE, AMERICANS HAVE BEEN DELUGED WITH STUDIES AND REPORTS. THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT THE MONEY POURED INTO THE STATES BY FEDERAL LEGISLATION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM HAS NOT BEEN SPENT WISELY, AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN DECISIONS ON ALLOCATION OF THESE FUNDS HAS BEEN MINIMAL. CITIZENS MUST PARTICIPATE AT THE PLANNING LEVEL AND SHOULD BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM ITSELF. TO INVOLVE CITIZENS EFFECTIVELY, PROGRAMS MUST BE DEVISED TO OFFER VOLUNTEERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OFFENDERS. THIS EFFORT SHOULD FOCUS ON JUVENILES, MINOR OFFENDERS, AND, ESPECIALLY, LOCAL JAIL INMATES. MORE THAN ANY OTHER INSTITUTION, THE JAIL PRESENTS GREAT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF ITS DIVERSE POPULATION AND ITS LOCATION IN THE COMMUNITY. TO BE EFFECTIVE IN REFORMING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS THAT CITIZENS FORM BROAD COALITIONS COMPOSED OF A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. FROM THE TIME PLANNING BEGINS, MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ESTABLISHMENT MUST BE INCLUDED. THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY TO DETERMINE WHICH PART NEEDS ATTENTION. DEFINED GOALS MUST BE MODEST AND NONTHREATENING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT. THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET CITIZENS INSIDE THE SYSTEM. THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE REALITIES OF THE SYSTEM, COMBINED WITH CONTACTS WITH ACTORS IN THE SYSTEM, CAN LEAD TO PRESSURES FOR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)