NCJ Number
55336
Date Published
1979
Length
36 pages
Annotation
THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COVERS THE AGENCY'S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, ITS PURPOSE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND RESEARCH PRIORITIES.
Abstract
CREATED IN 1968, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (NILECJ) IS THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVALUATION CENTER OF LEAA. ITS PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE NEW KNOWLEDGE IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PLAN A COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION, SPONSOR STUDIES OF MAJOR UNSOLVED CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBLEMS, DESIGN AND TEST PROMISING NEW APPROACHES TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE, EVALUATE CURRENT PRACTICES, DEVELOP NEW RESEARCH TOOLS, AND TRANSMIT KEY RESEARCH AND EVALUATION FINDINGS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATORS. NILECJ IS DIVIDED INTO A RESEARCH BRANCH (THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS), AND INTO OFFICES OF PROGRAM EVALUATION, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION METHODS, AND DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, AND DISSEMINATION. THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS RESEARCH PROJECTS THROUGH GRANTS, CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, AND HAS FUNDED STUDIES IN AREAS SUCH AS POLICE RESPONSE-TIME, COURT REFORM THROUGH AUTOMATED CASE MANAGEMENT AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT, EMPLOYMENT FOR INMATES, THE ROLE OF CRIME IN NEIGHBORHOOD DECLINE, AND THE BENEFITS OF SPECIFIC MEASUREMENT AND TESTING METHODS. SOME FUTURE RESEARCH PRIORITIES ARE VIOLENT CRIME, THE CORRELATES OF CRIME, COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, CAREER CRIMINALS, SENTENCING, AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND MEASURES.