ROLE OF VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS AS PRESSURE GROUPS IN PENAL REFORM (FROM PENAL POLICY-MAKING IN ENGLAND, 1977, BY NIGEL WALKER AND HENRI GILLER - SEE NCJ-63107)

• NCJ Number: 63108
• Author(s): L BLOM-COOPER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Cambridge
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE ROLE OF VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS AS PRESSURE GROUPS IN BRITISH PENAL REFORM VARIES WITH THE CLIMATE OF PUBLIC OPINION, THE PHASES IN PENAL POLICY, THE STATE OF PRISONS, AND THE CRIMINAL PROCESS.

Abstract

THE MOST ENDURING FACTOR OF THE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATION IS ITS SELF-APPOINTED ROLE AS KEEPER OF THE PUBLIC CONSCIENCE AND ITS ATTEMPTS TO TRANSLATE THIS CONSCIENCE INTO PRACTICAL CAMPAIGNS FOR PENAL CHANGE. A FIRST STEP IN THIS POLICY OF PERSUASION IS A POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT ANALYZES THE SITUATION, PROPOSES NEW PRINCIPLES, AND CONCEPTUALIZES THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM. IN SEEKING THOSE IN POWER TO MAKE CHANGES, TWO METHODS ARE EMPLOYED BY VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS-PUBLICITY AND PERSUASION OF POLICYMAKERS. PUBLICITY METHODS INCLUDE MAKING PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH INTERESTED PARTIES SUCH AS MINISTERS, POLITICIANS, AND CIVIL SERVANTS. IMPERSONAL CONTACT BY WAY OF WRITTEN MATERIAL SUCH AS MEMORANDA OF EVIDENCE TO OFFICIAL COMMITTEES CAN ALSO BE EMPLOYED. PERSUASION OF POLICYMAKERS MUST BE DIRECTED TO THREE MAIN GROUPS-LEGISLATORS, MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR PENAL POLICY, AND SENIOR PENAL ADMINISTRATORS. SUCCESSFUL PERSUASION REQUIRES THAT MATERIAL IS (1) WELL RESEARCHED, (2) SOUNDLY BASED ON AGREED PRINCIPLES, AND (3) IN ACCORD WITH POLITICAL AND SOCIAL REALITIES. THE CREDIBILITY OF VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS CONSISTS OF ACCEPTANCE IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES AND OF RETAINING PUBLIC RESPECT AS AN INDEPENDENT VOICE WITH REALISTIC PROPOSALS. A DISCUSSION SUMMARY AND NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (MJW)