NCJ Number
79269
Date Published
1980
Length
124 pages
Annotation
Intended for high-school age readers, this book examines the mechanics of the criminal justice system as well as the issues surrounding it from both the criminal's and the law-abiding citizen's point of view.
Abstract
The discussion begins with the question of who is a criminal and what causes crime. Victimization, citizen reluctance to report crimes, and police investigative efforts to apprehend criminals are discussed. Criminal processing is described from apprehension to trial and followed beyond sentencing into the correctional system. Issues raised in this context are sentencing disparity, the possibilities of rehabilitation, and the concept of punishment in relation to justice. Different penal approaches are reviewed historically, from the ancient code of lex talionis, which demanded an eye for an eye, to the idea of penitentiaries as places for repentance and, today, for correction. The current disillusionment arising from high recidivism rates and conditions of hostility and violence in prisons is emphasized. The presentation concludes by urging citizen involvement in crime prevention. Simple measures of physical security are delineated, programs such as neighborhood crime watch and whistlestop are described, and possibilities are mentioned for involvement in lobbying efforts for policy changes toward more equitable justice. Such issues include removing victimless crimes from the criminal justice system, reducing job discrimination for ex-offenders, limiting sentencing disparity, or banning handguns. NCJRS documents are recommended for further reading on specific topics, and 38 other references are suggested. The text of a program entitled 'TV on Trial, the Trial of Ronney Zamora' is included. An index is also provided.