RECENT RESEARCH ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF PENAL JUSTICE

• NCJ Number: 60333
• Journal: Revue de droit penal et de criminologie Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 203-214
• Author(s): G KELLENS
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: French
• Country: Belgium
• Note: SYNTHESE D'UNE CONFERENCE DONNEE A L'INSTITUTE BELGE DES HAUTES ETUDES A BRUXELLES, LE 23 NOVEMBRE 1978 (SYNTHESIS OF A CONFERENCE AT THE BELGIAN INSTITUTE OF HIGHER STUDIES, NOVEMBER 23, 1978, IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM)

Annotation

GENERAL DIRECTIONS OF RESEARCH ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

TRADITIONAL CRIMINOLOGY LONG LIMITED ITS EFFORTS TO THE PRODUCTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ANALYZING STATISTICS AND ATTRIBUTING DELINQUENCY TO ELEMENTS WHICH OCCURRED WITH A CERTAIN REGULARITY. IN THE PROCESS, BROAD CRIME AREAS, E.G., WHITE COLLAR CRIME, HAVE BEEN LEFT UNTOUCHED. DISCOVERY OF THE 'DARK FIGURE' UNDERMINED CONFIDENCE IN THE STATISTICAL MATERIAL FURNISHED AT THE END OF THE OFFICIAL STIGMATIZATION PROCESS. MORE RECENTLY, INTEREST HAS FOCUSED ON STATISTICS RELATING TO VARIOUS STAGES OF THE PENAL PROCESS AND DETERMINATION OF FACTORS WHICH AFFECT CASE PROSECUTION. OTHER AREAS OF GROWING INTEREST ARE TREATMENT BY PROSECUTORS OF SUCH OFFENSES AS SHOPLIFTING, THE RATIONALE FOR CRIMINALIZATION OR DECRIMINALIZATION OF CRIMES, AND RISKS OF THOSE WHO COMMIT UNREPORTED CRIMES TO BECOME OFFICIALLY LABELED OR CONTINUE TO REMAIN OUTSIDE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. A NUMBER OF CONFERENCES SINCE 1968 HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ESTABLISH WHO SETS CRIMINAL POLICY, HOW IT IS DETERMINED, AND WHETHER IT IS EFFECTIVE. A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST HAS BEEN EXHIBITED IN ANALYSIS OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM'S ARTICULATION OR LACK OF IT. A RECENT MAJOR STUDY INDICATES THAT THE DECISIONMAKING STRUCTURE OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IS NOT ARBITRARY, BUT IS BASED ON ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE THE OFFICE'S MISSION AND ITS MEANS. LITERATURE ON JUDGES INVESTIGATES THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND ATTITUDES OF JUDGES. WHILE CERTAIN STUDIES EXAMINE THE JUDICIAL PROCESS FROM THE DEFENDANT'S STANDPOINT, OTHERS ARE DEVOTED TO STUDYING THE DISCOMFORT OF VICTIMS IN PROCEEDINGS OR TO DISTINGUISHING VARIOUS PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD CRIMINAL POLICY. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER DIRECTION OF STUDY, THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS TO KEEP ALL BUT PRIVILEGED PERSONS AND CLASSES IN THEIR PLACE. THE IMPORTANCE OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND DEBATE FOR EFFECTIVE CRIMINOLOGY IS EMPHASIZED. NOTES ARE FURNISHED. --IN FRENCH.