NCJ Number
17836
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 247-277
Date Published
1974
Length
31 pages
Annotation
AN EXTENSIVE OUTLINE OF SEVERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WAR IS PROVIDED, AND AN ANALOGY IS DRAWN TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OPERATES ON A WAR MODEL. HE STATES THAT A WAR MENTALITY PERVADES THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS, DETERMINING TO AN IMPORTANT EXTENT HOW WE TREAT CRIMINAL 'ENEMIES'. THE WAR MODEL IS CHARACTERIZED BY IDENTIFICATION OF ENEMIES AND HEROES, ESTIMATE OF THE ENEMY'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY, DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY WEAPONS AND RESOURCES, UTILIZATION OF DISHONEST LANGUAGE, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO PRODUCE 'VICTORY'. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE SYSTEM'S DISTASTEFUL EMPHASIS ON FORCE, PHYSICAL COURAGE, WEAPONS, AND THE TWIN CONCEPTS OF 'ENEMIES' AND 'HEROES' MUST BE ELIMINATED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)