NCJ Number
6818
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1972) Pages: 15-22
Date Published
1972
Length
8 pages
Annotation
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC SHOULD REPLACE THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTABILITY ONLY TO SUPERIORS, WHICH PROMOTES INEFFICIENCY AND FABRICATION.
Abstract
ALL PARTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, TO THE VICTIM, AND TO THE OFFENDER. VICTIMS DESERVE A POST-CRIME REPORT. THEY SHOULD BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND COURTESY. THEY SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THE FOLLOW-UP OF THEIR CASES, WHATEVER THE OUTCOME. THEY SHOULD BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HEARINGS AND THE TRIAL. THEY SHOULD HAVE THE LAW AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHTS OF THE DEFENDANTS EXPLAINED TO THEM. THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED, AT LEAST FOR OFFENSES AGAINST THEIR PERSON. WE FAIL TO TELL THE OFFENDER HIS STATUS AT REASONABLE TIME INTERVALS. WE DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE PSYCHIATRIC ASSERTIONS WE MAKE ABOUT HIM. AT HIS PAROLE HEARING WE ALLOW HIM NO RIGHT TO REBUT THE CHARGES MADE AGAINST HIM. TO MEASURE THEIR OWN OPERATION, AS WELL AS TO KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR INVESTIGATIVE WORK, THE POLICE SHOULD HAVE A FOLLOW-UP OF THEIR CASES. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE COURTS, PROBATION, CORRECTION, AND PAROLE SHOULD ALL ACCOUNT DIRECTLY TO THE POLICE ON THE OFFENDERS PROCESSED THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. AUTHOR ABSTRACT