NCJ Number
30239
Editor(s)
J W NEWTON,
P G ZIMBARDO
Date Published
1975
Length
44 pages
Annotation
THIS PUBLICATION CONTAINS TRANSCRIPTS OF THE CONFERENCE SPEECHES AND DISCUSSIONS, IN WHICH SUCH TOPICS AS RESEARCH ON CORRECTIONAL DECISIONS, IMPLEMENTING RESEARCH RESULTS, AND MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEMS WERE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE CENTRAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONFERENCE WAS TO EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS TO POLICY DECISIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS. NEW INFORMATION SUPPORTED TENTATIVE CONCLUSIONS THAT HAD EMERGED FROM OUR TWO PREVIOUS CONFERENCES: (1) PUNISHABLE VIOLATIONS RESULTING IN MANPOWER COSTS TO THE ORGANIZATION ARE OFTEN DUE TO SYSTEMIC FACTORS (E.G., RACIAL DISCRIMINATION OR UNREALIZABLE AMBITIONS ENCOURAGED BY RECRUITERS WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY DENIED BY LIMITED ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES); (2) CURRENT DEFINITIONS OF CRIMINALITY SUBJECT MEN TO HARSH SANCTIONS FOR DIVERSE ACTS WHOSE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE ORGANIZATION OFTEN TEND TO BE TRIVIAL; (3) ONCE A VIOLATION IS ALLEGED, JUDGMENTAL BIASES AMONG OFFICERS DISTRIBUTE SANCTIONS UNEVENLY; AND (4) CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TEND TO BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. INTERVENTION WAS CALLED FOR IN EACH OF THESE ASPECTS OF THE MILITARY JUSTICE PROCESS. THE CONFERENCE CONSIDERED IN DETAIL EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH LEADING DIRECTLY TO POLICY DECISIONS WITH FAVORABLE RESULTS. CONFEREES ALSO PRESENTED EXAMPLES OF EQUALLY COMPELLING RESEARCH THAT WAS IGNORED OR ABUSED BY POLICY MAKERS. SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO THE VALUE OF EDUCATION OF RESEARCHERS WHOSE FINDINGS HAVE POLICY IMPLICATIONS. CONCLUDING REMARKS STRESSED THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH TO RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF MILITARY CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS ON THE TOTAL MILITARY ENVIRONMENT. FINALLY, CONFEREES WERE AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INCREASED COMMUNICATION AMONG RESEARCHERS AND PRACTITIONERS AS WELL AS STRESSING THE FOCUS OF MORE FULLY DEVELOPING THE INTERFACE BETWEEN BASIC RESEARCH FINDINGS AND OPERATIONAL PROGRAMS WITHIN THE NAVY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)