NCJ Number
58195
Date Published
1978
Length
54 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICES (CRS) IS PROVIDED IN THIS STUDY.
Abstract
CRS IS THE ONLY FEDERAL AGENCY ASSIGNED THE DISTINCTIVE TASK OF HELPING THE COMMUNITIES 'TO RESOLVE DISPUTES, DISAGREEMENTS AND DIFFICULTIES RELATING TO DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES BASED ON RACE, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.' CRS'S BASIC RESOURCE LIES IN ITS HIGHLY SKILLED ONSITE WORK FORCE DRAWN FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPECIALISTS, EDUCATION EXPERTS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS, AND HUMAN RELATIONS EXPERTS. STARTED IN THE 1960'S, CRS HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY IN THE SOUTH AND IN MAJOR URBAN CENTERS. THE MECHANISMS USED TO RESOLVE COMPLEX RACIAL AND ETHNIC ISSUES ARE KNOWN AS CONCILIATION, MEDIATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. CONCILIATION IS USED TO PROVIDE A PEACEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE REDRESS OF MINORITY GRIEVANCES. MEDIATION IS A MORE FORMAL PROCESS, SIMILAR TO THAT USED IN LABOR DISPUTES. THE GOAL OF MEDIATION IS A SIGNED AGREEMENT WHICH SETS FORTH SPECIFIC STEPS EACH SIDE AGREES TO TAKE IN ORDER TO RESTORE PEACEFUL RELATIONS. UNDER ITS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, CRS PROVIDES STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS WITH CONSULTATION ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROBLEMS. VOLUNTARY AND COOPERATIVE SOLUTIONS TO CONFLICTS ARE ENCOURAGED. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE CRS WORK IN SUCH AREAS AS POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS, EDUCATION DISPUTES, SCHOOL DESEGREGATION, INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES, AMERICAN INDIAN ISSUES, CORRECTIONS, HISPANIC INFLUX AND UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. A LIST OF REGIONAL OFFICES AND THE CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS IS PROVIDED. (KCP)