NCJ Number
68334
Date Published
1976
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE EXCESSIVE FRAGMENTATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INTO POLICE, COURT, AND CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES IS DISCUSSED IN THIS ARTICLE, AND THE RESULTING LACK OF INTERNAL COHESION AND COOPERATION IS CRITICIZED.
Abstract
THIS ARTICLE SUGGESTS THAT THE IDEA OF SINGLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS A FALLACY. THE SEPARATE COMPONENTS COMPRISING THE SO-CALLED SYSTEM (I.E., LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONS, AND THE COURTS) ARE EACH OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY, WITH RELATIVELY LITTLE COOPERATION, OR EVEN COMMUNICATION, AMONG THEM. THE 1970 PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON VIOLENCE IS QUOTED AS BLAMING THE INADEQUACIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES ON THEIR LACK OF UNITY OF PURPOSE AND ORGANIZED INTERRELATIONSHIPS. POLICE OFFICERS, TRIAL JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS, APPELLATE TRIBUNAL MAGISTRATES, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC (ALSO POLARIZED INTO SLUM DWELLERS AND SUBURBANITES), ALL VIEW THE SYSTEM DIFFERENTLY, HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES AND VIE WITH ONE ANOTHER FOR ALLOCATIONS OF PUBLIC FUNDS. THE CRISES AND CONFLICTS PREVALENT IN OUR SOCIETY, WHICH ARE CAUSING DRAMATIC INCREASES IN CRIME RATES, MUST BE ADDRESSED BY A UNIFIED AND PROFESSIONALIZED SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DELIVERY, WITH HIGHLY-TRAINED COLLEGE-EDUCATED PERSONNEL AT ALL LEVELS AND IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A BROAD CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION IS THE ONLY INSTRUMENT THAT CAN ENABLE PERSONNEL OF ALL BRANCHES OF THE SYSTEM TO PLACE THE NEEDS AND FUNCTIONS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES INTO THE WIDER CONTEXT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ESTABLISHMENT AS A UNIFIED WHOLE. BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTES ARE APPENDED.