NCJ Number
201385
Date Published
March 2002
Length
195 pages
Annotation
This document presents information on the seminar regarding community involvement in the criminal justice administration, held from December 5-8, 2001 in Manila, the Philippines.
Abstract
The seminar enabled faculty members of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute (UNAFEI) and various criminal justice officials from every sector of the criminal justice system in the Philippines to collect and exchange information and experiences on the involvement of the community in the criminal justice administration. The community is viewed to be an integral part of criminal justice in the Philippines and has been so recognized in that it is the fifth pillar of the criminal justice system (the others are the police, prosecution, courts, and corrections). Topics included community involvement in law enforcement, prosecution of crimes, the courts, rehabilitation and treatment of criminal offenders, and mobilizing the community for improved criminal justice administration. The seminar concluded with the adoption of final recommendations that will not only enhance the Philippine criminal justice system but also contribute to the needs of the international community in the field of community involvement in criminal justice. One recommendation is that local communities are recognized as the focal points for the effective delivery of crime prevention initiatives. Second, governments and relevant international funding organizations should be invited to provide increased financial and technical assistance to countries and communities in support of their crime prevention efforts. Third, anti-crime strategies in which a crime prevention policy is an integral part should offer more sustainable responses to crime and insecurity problems. Fourth, more systematic efforts should be made to implement successful prevention actions and strategies.