NCJ Number
48829
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS PANEL DISCUSSION PRESENTS VARIOUS OPINIONS ON FUTURE TRENDS IN CRIME AND PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR THE REDUCTION OF THE CRIME RATES.
Abstract
WITNESS PROTECTION AND COMPENSATION IS BECOMING AN IMPORTANT NEED OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE JOBS AND LIVES OF BOTH VICTIMS AND WITNESSES ARE JEOPARDIZED WHEN THEY COOPERATE WITH PROSECUTORS. THEY ARE OFTEN INTIMIDATED BY THE CRIMINAL. AN IMPROVED POLICE IMAGE IS ALSO NEEDED. THE POLICE MUST BE ABLE TO DEVELOP BETTER CONTACTS WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY PATROL INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS THEY MAKE OR THE NUMBER OF TICKETS THEY WRITE. OTHER STEPS INCLUDE THE PROPER ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, AN IMPROVED PROBATION SYSTEM, STRICT HANDGUN LEGISLATION, THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF NARCOTICS, BETTER TRAINING AND SELECTION OF POLICE OFFICERS, AND MORE PERSONALIZED CONTACT WITH OFFENDERS AND EX-OFFENDERS. AN ANALYSIS OF HEALTHY SOCIAL SYSTEMS MAY LEAD TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PROGRAMS WHICH WILL LOWER THE CRIME AND RECIDIVISM RATES. A GREAT DEAL OF STUDY IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE BEST ALLOCATION OF THE FUNDS. OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE ENVIRONMENT ALSO HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE CRIME RATE. CHILD-REARING PRACTICES AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ARE SIGNIFICANT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINALITY. THE ENVIRONMENT MUST BE CHANGED BY CREATING NEW HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS TO ALLEVIATE THE OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS IN THE COURTS IS ALSO SUGGESTED. ALL OF THE PANELISTS IN THIS DISCUSSION OFFER VALUABLE RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE MANY PROBLEMS FACING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (BAC)