NCJ Number
46856
Date Published
1978
Length
65 pages
Annotation
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (NILECJ) IS PRESENTED, DESCRIBING ITS MAJOR PROGRAMS SINCE ITS REORGANIZATION IN LATE 1977.
Abstract
NILECJ WAS REORGANIZED TO PROVIDE A MORE FUNDAMENTAL INQUIRY INTO THE CORRELATES AND DETERMINANTS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. FOUR MAIN OFFICES WERE ESTABLISHED TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM -- THE OFFICES OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS; RESEARCH AND EVALUATION METHODS; PROGRAM EVALUATION; AND DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, AND DISSEMINATION. THE RESEARCH SECTION FUNDED FIVE MAJOR GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1977, INCLUDING: THE HABITUAL OFFENDER, CONDUCTED BY THE RAND INSTITUTE; COMMUNITY REACTIONS TO CRIME, BY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY; WHITE COLLAR CRIME, AT YALE UNIVERSITY; ECONOMIC STUDIES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AT THE HOOVER INSTITUTION; AND UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME, BY THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE. ANOTHER PROJECT FOR THE YEAR CONCERNED COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION; THE PROGRAM WAS FOUNDED ON THE NOTION THAT THE PRIVATE CITIZEN IS THE BASIS OF CRIME PREVENTION, AND ITS SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDE BLOCK WATCHES AND 'OPERATION IDENTIFICATION.' SPECIAL POLICE STUDIES RELATE TO THE PATROL FUNCTION, WOMEN IN POLICING, RESPONSE TIME FOR CALLS, INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES, AND MANAGEMENT. NEW ADJUDICATION PROJECTS WERE ESTABLISHED TO CREATE A GREATER FAIRNESS AND CONSISTENCY IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS. THESE INCLUDE THE PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (COMPUTERIZED CASE TRACKING), ALTERNATIVES TO ADJUDICATION, AND STUDIES ON PLEA BARGAINING AND INCREASED FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATION. AS CORRECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE GOING THROUGH A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, NILECJ FUNDED STUDIES ON THEORY AND PRACTICE, FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES AND SPECIFIC REFORM, PUBLIC POLICY, OVERCROWDING IN INSTITUTIONS, FEMALE OFFENDERS, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORRECTIONS, AND JOBS FOR EX-OFFENDERS. THE OFFICE OF PROGRAM EVALUATION WAS PRIMARILY INVOLVED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE NATIONAL EVALUATION PROGRAM. THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA WAS ANOTHER AREA OF STUDY. THE RESEARCH UTILIZATION PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED TO ANALYZE RESEARCH PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE CONVERTED INTO PRACTICE BY STUDYING NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS, MODEL PROGRAMS, TRAINING, EXEMPLARY PROJECTS, THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION BY NCJRS, AND EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH. OTHER SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDE THE VISITING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND UNSOLICITED RESEARCH PROJECTS. APPENDIXES PROVIDE A CHART ON NILECJ'S ORGANIZATION AND A LISTING OF ITS AWARDS, GRANTS, AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.