NCJ Number
6463
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 27 Dated: (1969) Pages: 9-17
Date Published
1969
Length
9 pages
Annotation
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND INTERVENTION IN CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS AND IN THE EXECUTION OF SENTENCES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.
Abstract
IN THE COURSE OF ITS DEVELOPMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAS DIVORCED ITSELF FROM THE PEOPLE. INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE CONCERNS AND DEMANDS OF SOCIETY, THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN MOST NATIONS MERELY REFLECTS PHILOSOPHICAL AND MORAL PREJUDICES, ECONOMIC PRIVILEGES, AND DOGMATIC LEGAL ATTITUDES. THIS ARTICLE TAKES THE POSITION THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE COMMUNITY MUST BE BROUGHT CLOSER TOGETHER AND THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS THE MOST DIRECT AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THAT END. IT REVIEWS SEVERAL NATIONS' METHODS FOR PUBLIC INTERVENTION BOTH IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, IN THE APPLICATION OF REHABILITATION MEASURES. FINALLY, IT SUGGESTS THAT THE PRINCIPAL MEANS OF INCREASING AND IMPROVING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE THE MOBILIZATION OF PUBLIC OPINION, THE RESHAPING OF JUDICIAL TRAINING, AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC IN RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE MATTERS.