NCJ Number
43112
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 262-275
Date Published
1977
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TASK FORCE OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS ARE ASSESSED AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR FUTURE RESEARCH.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE SET ITSELF A MAMMOTH TASK - EXAMINATION OF THE ENTIRE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE RESULTING REPORT IS MEANT FOR TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, LEGISLATORS BUSINESS LEADERS, AND OTHERS IN POLICY-MAKING POSITIONS WHOSE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING IS ESSENTIAL TO ANY REFORM OF THE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. AFTER DESCRIBING THE SYSTEM AS IT OPERATES TODAY, THE REPORT BRIEFLY SUMMARIZES BASIC RESEARCH BEING CONDUCTED. IT THEN ATTEMPTS TO DIFFERENTIATE SEVERAL CLASSES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS WITH EXAMPLES FOR EACH. THE SUBJECTS OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, JUVENILE JUSTICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS, THE OVERLOADING OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND VICTIM RESEARCH ARE GIVEN IN-DEPTH TREATMENT AS EXAMPLES OF THE TYPE OF WORK NEEDED IN THE FIELD. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT WHENEVER AN EXPERT COMMITTEE COMPOSED SOLELY OF THOSE ALREADY IN A SPECIFIC FIELD IS CALLED TOGETHER, MANY INNOVATIVE IDEAS ARE LOST BECAUSE THE INSIDER LACKS THE PERSPECTIVE OF A PERSON OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM. THEREFORE, FUTURE TASK FORCES SHOULD INCLUDE CLERGYMEN, EDUCATORS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MASS MEDIA AND OTHERS FAMILIAR WITH, BUT NOT PART OF, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. SUCH PERSONS WOULD BRING NEW PERSPECTIVE TO THE STUDY AND HELP INTEGRATE THE FEELINGS OF THE COMMUNITY INTO THE RESULTING REPORT.