NCJ Number
1811
Date Published
1970
Length
271 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM OF INCREASED POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY IS PROPOSED FOR THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL OF CRIME.
Abstract
'OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS A MORAL BUSYBODY.' WITH THAT STATEMENT AS A FIRST PREMISE, THE AUTHORS GO ON TO STATE THAT THEY HAVE A CURE FOR CRIME. THEY SYSTEMATICALLY PRESENT A PROGRAM WHICH COVERS THE AMOUNT, COSTS, CAUSES, AND VICTIMS OF CRIME, THE REDUCTION OF VIOLENCE, THE POLICE, CORRECTIONS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, THE FUNCTION OF PSYCHIATRY IN CRIME CONTROL, ORGANIZED CRIME, AND THE USES OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH. ON EACH TOPIC PRECISE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE AND CAREFULLY DEFENDED. THE HONEST POLITICIAN'S GUIDE TO CRIME CONTROL IS A LIVELY AND CONTROVERSIAL PRESENTATION OF CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WHILE MUCH OF THE MATERIAL WILL BE FAMILIAR TO THE PRACTITIONER, THE AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS ARE ALL THEIR OWN. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHAPTER ON ORGANIZED CRIME COMPARES THE ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD WITH THOSE PURPORTING TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF AN ORGANIZED CRIME SYNDICATE. THEY CONCLUDE THAT ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER ARGUMENT MUST BE BASED ON FAITH, NOT FACT. WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE RIGHT IN ALL THEIR REASONING, THE AUTHORS DO PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD IN A MANNER CALCULATED TO PROVOKE THOUGHT IN LAYMAN AND PROFESSIONAL ALIKE. (SNI ABSTRACT)