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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for criminal justice system
26 results foundAuthor: Singer, Lawrence Title: Inform, Persuade and Remind: An Evaluation of a Project to Improve Public Confidence in the Criminal Justice System Summary: This report summarizes the results of an experiment (using a randomized controlled trialled methodology) designed to test the impact of providing information to the public upon confidence in the criminal justice system. The experiment involved giving a booklet to over 2,000 members of the public in three different ways, and testing their knowledge and attitudes before and after the booklet was received. The results were compared with a control group not given the booklet. The research provides evidence that the effective presentation of national and local crime statistics, and other information about the criminal justice system, can have a positive impact on public confidence. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, Office for Criminal Justice Reform, 2008. 65p. Source: Ministry of Justice Research Series 15/08 Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 114405 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemPublic Attitudes (U.K.)Public Opinion (U.K.)Publicity |
Author: Constitution Project, Georgetown Public Policy Institute Title: Smart on Crime: Recommendations for the Next Administration and Congress Summary: After the 2008 elections, America’s policymakers will take a fresh look at the criminal justice system, which so desperately needs their attention. To assist with that review, leaders and experts from all aspects of the criminal justice community spent months collaboratively identifying key issues and gathering policy advice into one comprehensive set of recommendations for the new administration and Congress. This catalogue is the fruit of those labors. Details: Washington, DC: The Constitution Project, 2008. 207p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 114880 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyCriminal Justice SystemCriminal Justice, Administration of |
Author: Smith, Dominic Title: Public Confidence in the Criminal Justice System: Findings from the British Crime Survey 2002/03 to 2007/08 Summary: This report covers the overall levels of confidence in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and public perceptions of the wider CJS and draws together findings from the British Crime Survey (BCS), considering both the national (England and Wales) and local level picture. The report follows on from earlier publications on BCS headline data on confidence in the CJS. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2010. 38p. Source: Internet Resource; Ministry of Justice Research Series 16/10 Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119342 Keywords: British Crime SurveyCriminal Justice SystemPublic Opinion |
Author: Northern Ireland. Criminal Justice Inspection Title: Avoidable Delay: Incorporating an Inspection of the Interface Between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland Summary: Tackling the problem of avoidable delay goes to the heart of the justice system as it involves all the major justice organisations and impacts widely on the ‘users’ of the justice system whether they are victims, witnesses or defendants. This report shows that despite the major efforts to address the problem of avoidable delay In the Northern Ireland criminal justice system since the previous inspection report in 2006, these initiatives have made a relatively limited impact. The length of time it takes the justice system to process individuals through to disposal by a court is still too long. Details: Belfast: Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, 2010. 92p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119370 Keywords: Courts (Northern Ireland)Criminal Justice SystemProsecution |
Author: Australia. Parliament. Senate. Select Committee on Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities Title: Indigenous Australians, Incarceration and the Criminal Justice System Summary: This discussion paper has been prepared by the committee secretariat to provide the committee with an overview of Indigenous contact with the criminal justice system in Australia, including the nature of Indigenous offending, and current developments in corrective services. The first section reviews current statistics to build a picture of Indigenous contact with the criminal justice system in Australia. Approximately 25 per cent of prisoners in Australia are Indigenous, and this share is increasing over time. The rate of imprisonment for Indigenous adults is 14 times higher than for non-Indigenous adults and the gap is continuing to widen. Indigenous prisoners are overwhelmingly male, with assault being the major offence. Indigenous prisoners generally receive shorter sentences and spend less time on remand, but recidivism is much higher. The figures for juvenile detention are worse. Fifty-nine per cent of the juvenile detention population in 2007 was Indigenous. The rate of detention was 28 times higher than for non-Indigenous juveniles. The second section considers some of the reasons for Indigenous overrepresentation. The first part analyses some of the factors that contribute to high rates of Indigenous offending such as violence, alcohol, mental health issues and social disadvantage. The second part examines the response to Indigenous offending by the criminal justice system and finds that increasing imprisonment rates are in part a result of stricter sentencing policies. The third section provides information on rehabilitation programs with the potential to reduce offending and recidivism over time. Some of the most promising programs include juvenile treatments such as multi-systemic therapy, adult drug and alcohol programs and post-release support programs. Evidence based principles for successful rehabilitation programs are also presented. This section also includes a discussion of the costs of the criminal justice system in Australia, and the potential for both social and economic benefits as result of innovation in criminal justice. Finally, the results of an audit of programs and innovations in the Australian criminal justice system are presented in section four. Each state and territory was asked to provide information on current criminal justice programs and policies in their jurisdiction. There have been a limited number of evaluations undertaken across Australia. Evaluations have been included where available. Details: Canberra: The Senate, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 19, 2010 at: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/indig_ctte/Final_RRIC.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/indig_ctte/Final_RRIC.pdf Shelf Number: 120013 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemImprisonmentIndigenous OffendersIndigenous PeoplesJuvenile Offenders |
Author: DeGusti, Berenice Title: The Impact of the Youth Criminal Justice Act on Case Flow in Alberta and System Response in Calgary Summary: The purpose of this study is to examine how the implementation of the YCJA has affected the flow of cases through the youth justice system, and the impact of the new legislation on workload for frontline staff in the youth justice system (i.e., police officers, probation officers). To achieve this goal, two main research activities were undertaken. First, CRILF examined the flow of cases processed through the youth justice system in Alberta from 2001 through 2006. This examination provides information on whether the youth system is adhering to the principles of diversion, fair sentencing and the reduction of incarceration mandated in the YCJA. Second, focus groups with police officers were conducted to identify the use of extrajudicial measures that would not be captured in the youth crime and correctional statistics and the effect of the new legislation on their work and workload. Focus groups were also conducted with probation officers to obtain information on changes in their workload patterns and their opinions on the success of rehabilitation and reintegration since the implementation of the YCJA. Participants of the focus groups were further asked to assess the current legislation’s effectiveness in achievi ng its objectives and to provide suggestions for improvement to the current youth criminal justice system. The objectives of this report are to: (1) Examine the flow of cases through the youth criminal justice system to understand the impact of the YCJA; and (2) Understand changes in the occupational practices and workload of police officers and probation officers working with offending youth as a result of the new legislation. Details: Calgary, Alberta: Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family, 2008. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2011 at: http://people.ucalgary.ca/~crilf/publications/Final_Case_Flow_and_Focus_Group_Report-September2008v3.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://people.ucalgary.ca/~crilf/publications/Final_Case_Flow_and_Focus_Group_Report-September2008v3.pdf Shelf Number: 121030 Keywords: Alternative to IncarcerationCase Flow ManagementCriminal Justice SystemDiversionJuvenile Offenders (Alberta, Canada) |
Author: Corrigan, James Title: Use of Legal Services by the Criminal Justice System Summary: The criminal justice system is the largest purchaser of legal services in the public sector. Over the three year period 2007-10, the cost of criminal legal aid was £155 million. The cost of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was £106 million. In addition the legal services necessary to support the operational and corporate activities of other justice organisations was £36 million over the same period. The purpose of the inspection was to assess the manner in which legal services were identified and resourced, determine the breakdown of legal expenditure and review procurement arrangements for external legal services. The inspection did not consider criminal legal aid in detail as this has recently been subject to work by the Northern Ireland Audit Office. The inspection report has identified a number of changes required regarding the ways in which legal services are provided. In particular the purchasing of legal services lacks the discipline used and expected for other professional services. Standard competitive arrangements are embryonic (used mainly for the services of solicitors) with costs determined by a range of different fee structures which have lacked transparency and predictability. Many justice organisations were unaware of the actual costs until completion of the work and this can exceed the original estimates. This practice is generally considered unacceptable in other commercial environments, where the supplier of a service would be expected to provide an estimate of the costs of service provision and to justify and explain variations from these estimates. The inspection report also highlighted the differential payments made to defence and prosecution counsel. There is a need to develop a common approach to achieve a convergence between the level of prosecution and legal aid fees. A significant and sustained improvement in value for money across the justice system requires a more co-ordinated and consistent approach by public sector buyers. The current fragmented approach linked to a plethora of different fee arrangements/schemes for different types of services (for example, criminal legal aid, civil work, prosecution and defence work) has hindered progress. The Department of Justice (DoJ) is best placed to take the lead in this regard. Details: Belfast: Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, 2011. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2011 at: http://www.cjini.org/CJNI/files/50/503670ba-f0a8-4fc8-9842-725c09c0100e.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cjini.org/CJNI/files/50/503670ba-f0a8-4fc8-9842-725c09c0100e.pdf Shelf Number: 121895 Keywords: CourtsCriminal Justice SystemLegal Services (Northern Ireland)Prosecution |
Author: McLeod, Rosie Title: Understanding the Progression of Serious Cases through the Criminal Justice System: Evidence Drawn from a Selection of Casefiles Summary: There is wide interest in understanding how cases progress through the Criminal Justice System (CJS). This project was commissioned to improve understanding of attrition for serious offences, in order to inform future policy development. The project focused on four serious offences: rape, sexual assault, grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and GBH without intent. A random sample of 1,149 casefiles from eight police force areas was collated and a database was compiled using information that was present in the casefiles. This report summarises some initial findings in relation to the criminal justice process from allegation to outcome, re-grading of offences, decision making at key stages, false allegations and the circumstance of victims and suspects. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2012. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Research Series 11/12: Accessed July 21, 2012 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/research-and-analysis/moj-research/understanding-progression-serious-cases.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/research-and-analysis/moj-research/understanding-progression-serious-cases.pdf Shelf Number: 125712 Keywords: Criminal Case ProcessingCriminal Justice SystemRapeSexual AssaultViolent Crimes (U.K.) |
Author: Bennett, Christine Title: Public Perceptions of Safety and Security in Kosovo: Time to Act Summary: This survey is the sixth in a series which tracks changes in public perceptions of safety and security in Kosovo over time. It tests how people believe access to, responsiveness and performance of security and justice institutions in Kosovo are developing and is based on qualitative and quantitative data collected through a household survey and focus group discussions. The survey was conducted by Saferworld with input provided by the Forum for Civic Initiatives (FIQ). It takes into account the role of different characteristics, such as ethnicity and geographic location and to a lesser extent gender and age, in shaping people’s perceptions of both national and international security providers. The survey aims to contribute towards the development of responsive, accountable and people-focused security and justice provisions in Kosovo. The survey findings are cause for concern that should be noted and trigger a response. They show that the political crisis in Kosovo in late 2010 which continues at the time of writing this report had a devastating effect on local safety and security perceptions, attitudes towards small arms and light weapons (SALW) and, even more so, on the trust placed in security and justice providers. Perceptions of day-to-day public safety and security have slightly deteriorated and an increasing number of people – particularly young people – would consider acquiring weapons. The reputation of the Kosovo Police (KP), which was previously held in high regard by the majority of the population, has particularly suffered in the last year. This may be linked to heated political debates about the security situation in Kosovo, the performance of the police and the high turnover in senior police staff in Autumn 2010. Findings indicate that people are tired of what they see as insufficiently accountable and ineffective institutions, both at national level – such as the police, customs and justice sectors and international level, particularly with regards to EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). The Government and institutions concerned must step up efforts to improve their credibility, in order to prevent further frustration and alienation from spreading. Details: London: Saferworld, 2011. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 13, 2012 at: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/pubdocs/Kosovo_tracker_survey_2011_English_reduced.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/pubdocs/Kosovo_tracker_survey_2011_English_reduced.pdf Shelf Number: 126007 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemFear of Crime (Kosovo)Public OpinionPublic Safety and Security |
Author: Griffin, Patrick Title: Baseline Measures for Illinois: The MacArthur Foundation’s Juvenile Justice Initiative Summary: The following analysis of juvenile justice data and trends in Illinois is intended to establish a general baseline against which to measure future progress in juvenile justice system reform in line with the Model Systems Framework. The Model Systems Framework, which was developed by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in partnership with its grantees in the juvenile justice field, is a detailed schematic of a model juvenile justice system. Beginning with a small number of widely shared values, it specifies goals, characteristics, practices, and outcomes that follow from those values, along with measures for determining whether those outcomes are being achieved. It is intended to give policy-makers, practitioners, and advocates in real-world juvenile justice systems a handy way to measure themselves, to determine areas in which their systems fall short of shared ideals—and thereby to stimulate and give practical direction to change. The Model Systems Framework elaborates dozens of measurable outcomes that would be achieved by a juvenile justice system that operates with due regard for fundamental fairness, acknowledges juvenile-adult differences, recognizes juveniles’ individuality and potential, and takes account of personal, community, and system responsibility. However, the MacArthur Foundation has focused on five “key” outcomes as overall system benchmarks: 1. Reduction in Incarceration/Formal Handling, Increase in Diversion 2. Reduction in Case-Handling Disparities Due to Race 3. Reduction in Transfer to the Criminal Justice System 4. Reduction in Recidivism 5. Increase in Participation in Pro-Social Activities These outcomes were chosen not only because they appeared to indicate “the state of the state,” in terms of adherence to Model System Framework principles, but also because they constituted tangible and direct expressions of primary juvenile justice system values. Moreover, given their central importance in any juvenile justice system, it was hypothesized that significant system reforms would be reflected by movement in these key indicators. The discussion of Illinois baseline data and trends is organized around these key indicators. After a general summary of juvenile population trends by state and region, the first section focuses on a series of measures—including basic annual caseload statistics, detention data of various kinds, and data on secure commitments—which help to describe the degree to which the juvenile justice system in Illinois relies on formal handling and incarceration. The next section analyzes possible indicators of racial disparities in juvenile justice case-handling. The next describes transfer and transfer disposition statistics and trends. The last focuses on measures of juvenile recidivism. Details: Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2004. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 1, 2012 at: http://www.ncjj.org/pdf/BaselineMeasures_IL_final.pdf Year: 2004 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjj.org/pdf/BaselineMeasures_IL_final.pdf Shelf Number: 126533 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemJuvenile Justice (Illinois)Juvenile Justice Reform |
Author: Allen, Rob Title: Lost in Transition: Three Years On Summary: The purpose of this pamphlet is twofold; first to consider developments in policy and practice with young adult offenders in the three years since the publication of the Barrow Cadbury Commission’s Lost in Transition report, (Barrow Cadbury Trust 2005), and second to offer reflections on the challenges that lie in the way of better policies on young adult offenders in the future. Details: London: Barrow Cadbury Trust, 2008. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 5, 2012 at: http://www.prisonstudies.org/info/downloads/Lost_in_Transition-3_Years_On-FINAL.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonstudies.org/info/downloads/Lost_in_Transition-3_Years_On-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 126567 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyCriminal Justice SystemYoung Adult Offenders (U.K.) |
Author: Orr, Kate Skellington Title: Perceptions of Summary Criminal Justice in Scotland Summary: In July and August 2011, three deliberative research workshops were held with members of the public in Scotland: one each in Ayr, Livingston and Aberdeen. This was part of a wider evaluation to explore the impact of Summary Justice Reforms (SJR) on victims and witnesses, as well as to gauge public perceptions of the summary justice system, and the reforms overall. This report focuses specifically on participant’s understanding, perceptions and expectations of the Summary Criminal Justice System in Scotland; how people view justice per se; and what could be done to improve or maximise public confidence in the system. The research found that there was limited and often inaccurate knowledge of the criminal justice system in Scotland among participants in this research. Participants did, however, want to know more about the system and there was a desire for fewer barriers to information, including the removal of jargon in the system, to make it more accessible. Participants wanted to see greater respect for victims and witnesses in the system, including better treatment at court and the receipt of case progress information at all stages of the justice process. The public court experience was perceived to be intimidating and not easy to understand, and this was compounded by perceptions that professionals working within the court system (including defence and prosecution agents) were unsympathetic to how daunting the experience may be for members of the public. Participants perceived the current system to treat the accused better than victims and witnesses, and believed that the court and prison system was not taken seriously by some offenders. Views on sentencing were complex. Community sentences and community payback were generally well supported by all participants as a means of delivering ‘visible justice’, which directly benefited those affected by the crimes. Views on custodial sentences were more varied with views expressed that while prison sentences needed to be imposed in a fair and consistent manner, they also needed to be sufficiently tough that offenders would be deterred from committing further crimes. Restoring and improving social values of respect for justice and authority overall was seen as a key underlying challenge to improving public confidence in the future. There was no suggestion, however, that responsibility for this should necessarily sit with the justice system. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2012. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 26, 2012 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00405883.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00405883.pdf Shelf Number: 127004 Keywords: CourtsCriminal Justice SystemPublic OpinionSentencingSummary Criminal Justice (Scotland)Victims of CrimesWitnesses |
Author: Snowball, Lucy Title: Public Confidence in the New South Wales Criminal Justice System: 2012 update Summary: Public confidence in the NSW criminal justice system has increased significantly over the last four years, according the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. This is one of the key findings to emerge from a survey of public confidence in the criminal justice system commissioned by the Bureau. The Bureau conducted a similar survey in 2008. Interviews were conducted with over 2,000 NSW residents aged 18 years and over. Survey sample quotas were set on the basis of age, sex and residential location to match, as closely as possible, the distribution of these characteristics in the NSW population. Respondents in both surveys were asked how confident they were that the criminal justice system: Is effective in bringing people who commit crimes to justice; Meets the needs of victims Respects the rights of people accused of committing a crime Treats people accused of crime fairly; Deals with cases promptly. With one exception , the percentage of respondents who said they were ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ confident that the NSW criminal justice system is achieving these objectives was significantly higher in 2012 than it had been in 2008. Public knowledge of the criminal justice system and confidence in sentencing also increased. To measure public knowledge about crime and justice respondents were asked: Whether property crime had increased, decreased or remained about the same over the last five years; What percentage of all crime recorded by police involves violence or the threat of violence? What percentage of persons charged with home burglary are convicted of the offence? What percentage of persons convicted of home burglary receive a prison sentence? The percentage of respondents who gave tolerably accurate answers to each of these questions was significantly higher in 2012 than it was in 2008. To measure public confidence in sentencing, the Bureau asked respondents whether the sentences handed down by courts are much too tough, a little too tough, about right, a little too lenient or much too lenient. In 2008, 25.5 per cent responded ‘about right’. The proportion giving this answer in 2012 rose to 31.4 per cent. There was a corresponding fall in the percentage of respondents who felt that sentences are ‘much too lenient’ (from 37.3% to 29.3%). Generally speaking, the public have higher levels of confidence in the capacity of police to bring offenders to justice, meet the needs of victims and deal with cases promptly. They have higher levels of confidence in the courts when it comes to respecting the rights of accused people and treating accused people fairly. Details: Brisbane: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2012. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, No. 165: Accessed February 8, 2013 at: Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 127549 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemPolice-Community RelationsPublic Attitudes (Australia)Public ConfidencePublic Opinion |
Author: Mutch, Raewyn Title: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Knowledge, attitudes and practice within the Western Autralian justice system Summary: The aims of the project were to: assess justice professionals' awareness and knowledge of FASD; assess the perceived impact of FASD on practice within the justice system; and identify the information needs relating to FASD for the justice system in WA. A Reference Group was established to provide advice on study design and facilitate participant recruitment. A review of the literature was conducted to identify existing surveys or questionnaires that assessed FASD knowledge, attitudes and practice within justice systems that could be used as a basis for survey development. To enable the investigation of issues specific to each sector of the WA justice system, separate surveys were developed for people working in all four sectors of the justice system: judicial, legal, corrections and police. Each survey assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of FASD, sources of information about FASD, and information and training needs. Additional sector specific questionnaire items assessed participant experiences and practices using language particular to each sector. Surveys were pilot tested within each sector to ensure the questions were clear and easily understandable. The surveys were administered to 133 judicial officers, 90 lawyers, 650 Department of Corrective Services (DCS) staff and 1000 police officers. Results were summarised using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Response to the survey was low (23%) and relatively consistent across sectors. Over 90% of judicial officers, lawyers and DCS staff, and almost 75% of police officers were aware of FAS. Awareness of FASD was lower than for FAS across all sectors. Almost 80% of participants agreed that FASD is real, and that the negative effect of alcohol on fetal development has been proven. When participants were asked to describe their understanding of FASD, we found few differences in response between the judicial, legal and corrections sectors in the frequency of identification of the following four key aspects of FASD: identification of the cause as alcohol consumption during pregnancy, identification of potential impacts on physical and psychological development, and recognition that the damage is permanent. Across all four sectors of the justice system most participants reported only a basic understanding of FASD and how it affects individuals. Participants were most knowledgeable about the cause of FASD, and factors therefore important for prevention. Notably, some participants described FASD as caused by excessive alcohol use, alcohol abuse or dependence. More than 75% of judicial officers, 85% of lawyers and DCS staff, and almost 50% of police officers perceived FASD as relevant to their work. Consistent with the importance of formal training or professional development as a source of information on FASD among DCS staff, knowledge about FASD was highest among DCS staff, who were more likely to report a good understanding of how FASD affects children and adults (44%) than participants from the other sectors. Few DCS staff reported not being aware of how FASD affects children and adults (5%) compared with 30% or more among participants from other sectors. Participants across all sectors frequently reported recognition of suspected FASD among individuals they dealt with, and raised concerns about the management of these individuals within the justice system. Approximately 60% of participants from the judicial and legal sectors, 67% of staff from the corrections sector, and 43% from the police sector reported ever dealing with a person who may have been affected by FASD. Suspicion of FASD was most commonly based on identification of a poor attention span, low intelligence quotient (IQ), maternal history of alcoholism and physical appearance. We found widespread agreement among judicial officers (79%), lawyers (92%) and DCS staff (84%) that the assessment and diagnosis of FASD would improve the possibilities of appropriate consequences for unacceptable behaviour. Most participants (72%) also indicated a need for more information about FASD, including information to improve the identification of individuals in need of specialist assessment, and guidelines on how to deal with people with FASD. We also found strong support across all sectors for the development of appropriate alternative or diversionary sentencing options for people with FASD. Details: Perth: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, 2013. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 6, 2014 at: http://www.fare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Report-FASD-Justice-System.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.fare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Report-FASD-Justice-System.pdf Shelf Number: 131844 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseCriminal Justice SystemFetal Alcohol Syndrome |
Author: New Jersey. Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Title: Report of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Summary: The Supreme Court today released the report of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice. The report calls for significant changes in the way bail is administered and for the enactment of a speedy trial law. The committee, established in June 2013 by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, includes judges, prosecutors, public defenders, private counsel, court administrators, and staff from the Legislature and the governor's office. The committee was chaired by the chief justice and developed 27 recommendations to improve New Jersey's criminal justice system. The committee confronted some very difficult problems relating to the current bail system and delays in bringing criminal cases to trial,- said Chief Justice Rabner. It is telling that nearly all of the committee's recommendations - which include far-reaching proposals-have the unanimous support of judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel. The report's Executive Summary (pages 1 to 7) highlights the key issues and reasoning behind the committee's recommendations. A complete Table of Recommendations follows the summary (pages 8 to 10). Supervised pretrial release - New Jersey's current system of pretrial release is largely dependent upon a defendant's financial resources. Defendants who are unable to post bail are incarcerated before trial, which can have significant consequences. Poor and minority defendants are more likely to be affected. - The New Jersey Constitution guarantees all defendants the right to bail. Judges have no authority to detain even the most violent and dangerous defendants if they can afford to post the amount of bail set. - The current resource-based system presents problems at both ends of the system: some people are held on less serious crimes, with little risk of flight, only because they cannot pay relatively minor amounts of bail; others who pose a significant threat to the community and a substantial risk of flight must be released if they can afford to post bail. - The committee recommends a statutory change from the present "resource-based" system to a "risk-based" system. Under a risk-based approach, judges rely on objective factors to assess the level of risk an individual defendant poses and then impose appropriate conditions of pretrial release. - Pretrial service officers are needed to monitor compliance with nonmonetary conditions of release and supervise defendants who are released pretrial. Preventive Detention - For certain defendants, no combination of release conditions can reasonably ensure either the safety of the community or their appearance in court. A system of preventive detention would permit judges to consider those questions and decide whether to detain or release a defendant pretrial. - The recommendations for a risk-based system of bail and pretrial detention, Recommendations 1 through 9, are interdependent and should not be considered individually. The recommendations call for both constitutional and statutory amendments. Speedy Trial - The New Jersey and the U.S. Constitutions provide the right to a speedy trial. Under New Jersey law, there are no specific timeframes to determine when that right has been violated. - Defendants sometimes wait years between arrest and trial. Particularly for defendants who are incarcerated pretrial, those delays can cause serious, practical problems and affect how their cases proceed. - Incarcerated defendants are more likely to receive less attractive plea offers, to plead guilty if they have already served a significant amount of time in jail, and to receive longer sentences. - The committee recommends that the Legislature adopt a speedy trial act that sets forth specific timeframes in which defendants must be indicted and brought to trial. Recommendations 10 through 15 provide detailed proposals for incarcerated defendants and defendants who are released. Details: Trenton, NJ: Joint Committee on Criminal Justice, 2014. 120p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 11, 2014 at: http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/pressrel/2014/FinalReport_3_20_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/pressrel/2014/FinalReport_3_20_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132975 Keywords: Bail ReformCriminal Justice ReformCriminal Justice SystemPretrial Release (New Jersey)Risk AssessmentSpeedy Trial |
Author: Rodriguez Ferreira, Octavio Title: Civic Engagement and the Judicial Reform: The role of civil society in reforming criminal justice in Mexico Summary: Mexico has historically featured a relatively weak civil society, due to the influence of corporatist structures controlled by the Mexican state. Yet, with regard to the criminal justice system, as other reports in this series have discussed, Mexican civil society has recently shown some encouraging signs of engagement and activism in response to significant rule of law and security concerns. Specifically, with regard to judicial reform, Mexican civic activists were very engaged in the historic 2008 constitutional and legal reforms that produced one of the most important changes in Mexico's contemporary history. This reform, which established the foundation for the country's New Criminal Justice System (Nuevo Sistema de Justicia Penal, NSJP), brought about significant changes to the Constitution on matters of criminal law, access to justice, alternative and restorative justice, the prison system, pre-trial detention, presumption of innocence, criminal investigation, due process, public security, asset seizure or forfeiture, special detention regimes, labor conditions in public security, and legislative faculties of Congress in public security and addressing organized crime. Through these amendments, Mexico joined a wave of progressive reforms that has spread throughout Latin America towards a more effective, democratic, and transparent criminal justice system. While the NSJP was reached by the agreement of political parties and hard negotiations in Congress, civil society played a significant role in the process, not only demanding a more just system, but also in pushing for the discussion, keeping the issue in the national agenda, and pursuing its final approval. This report focuses on the role played by organized civil society in the judicial reform process, highlighting the efforts of certain organizations that became particularly influential and emblematic of civic activism in the area of criminal justice reform. To analyze how organized civil society became such an important player in the game, the author first walks through the reform process itself, then analyzes the social dimension of the NSJP, and ends with a look at how the NSJP and society have influenced one another. Through a qualitative approach, the author obtained primary and secondary materials in an effort to analyze and measure the influence of civil society in the reform process. Specifically, the author gathered information on civil society organizations (CSO) that were considered to be amongst the most involved, visible and influential in the creation of the NSJP. Details: Washington, DC: Wilson Center, Mexico Institute; San Diego, CA: University of San Diego, Justice in Mexico Project; 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper Series on Civic Engagement and Public Security in Mexico: Accessed August 23, 2014 at: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/rodriguez_judicial_reform.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Mexico URL: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/rodriguez_judicial_reform.pdf Shelf Number: 129895 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyCriminal Justice ReformCriminal Justice SystemJudicial Reform (Mexico) |
Author: Northern Ireland. Department of Justice Title: First Time Entrants to the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland 2011/12 Summary: The bulletin presents information on first time entrants (first offences) to the criminal justice system disaggregated by age, gender, offence category and disposal type for 2011/12. Key findings - There were 13,225 first time entrants (first offences) to the criminal justice system in 2011/12. Of these, 11.8% (1,564) were in the 10 - 17 year old age group and 31.2% (4,130) in the 18 - 24 year old age group. - First offences made up 32.3% of all offences in 2011/12. Of all first offences, 40.1% (5,309) were dealt with by way of diversionary disposal, compared to 59.9% (7,916) which were dealt with by conviction. - First offences accounted for 42.5% of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to the 10 - 17 age group. - First offences accounted for 51.3% of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to females in 2011/12. By comparison, first offences accounted for only 28.4% of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued to males in 2011/12. - 51.8% of all first offences in 2011/12 were for Motoring offences. Of all instances where a conviction or diversion was issued for offences in that category in 2011/12, 41.2% were for first offences. - First offences accounted for 57.6% of all instances where a diversionary disposal was issued in 2011/12. People in the 10 - 17 year old age group were most likely (90.9%) to receive a diversion for a first offence. - First offences accounted for 34.4% of all instances where a monetary penalty was imposed in relation to a conviction or diversion in 2011/12. However, of all instances where imprisonment was imposed as a penalty in 2011/12, first offences accounted for only 5.6%. Details: Belfast: Northern Ireland Department of Justice, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Statistical Bulletin 9/2014: Accessed October 1, 2014 at: http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/statistics-research/stats-research-publications/prosecutions-and-convictions/first-time-entrants-to-the-justice-system-in-ni2011-12.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/statistics-research/stats-research-publications/prosecutions-and-convictions/first-time-entrants-to-the-justice-system-in-ni2011-12.pdf Shelf Number: 133514 Keywords: Crime StatisticsCriminal Justice SystemCriminal StatisticsOffenders (Northern Ireland) |
Author: Gotsis, Tom Title: A statistical snapshot of crime and justice in New South Wales Summary: Crime and justice are complex and often contested concepts. A range of factors are believed to "cause" crime, including: economic hardship; social disadvantage; sexual abuse; alcohol and drug use; and psychological characteristics, including mental illness. The aims of the criminal justice system are similarly diverse, and include: community protection; specific deterrence; general deterrence; denunciation; retribution; and rehabilitation. This paper looks at the following aspects of the criminal justice system: community perceptions of crime and safety; offender rates and characteristics; crime rates; victims; measures of police effectiveness; courts (including bail and sentencing outcomes); recidivism; corrections (including prison population levels); and expenditure on the criminal justice system. By undertaking this empirical enquiry, the paper seeks to assist in identifying whether legislative and policy reforms to crime and justice are effective in achieving their stated objectives. Details: Sydney: NSW Parliamentary Research Service, 2014. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Statistical Indicators 10/14: Accessed November 13, 2014 at: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/AstatisticalsnapshotofcrimeandjusticeinNewSouthWales/$File/statistical+snapshot+crime+and+justice+in+nsw_final+proofs.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/AstatisticalsnapshotofcrimeandjusticeinNewSouthWales/$File/statistical+snapshot+crime+and+justice+in+nsw_final+proofs.pdf Shelf Number: 134077 Keywords: Crime Statistics (New South Wales)Criminal Justice System |
Author: Great Britain. National Audit Office Title: Efficiency in the Criminal Justice System Summary: The criminal justice system (the system) in England and Wales investigates, tries, punishes and rehabilitates people who are convicted or suspected of committing a crime. In the year to September 2015, 1.7 million offences were dealt with through the courts. The system is made up of police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other bodies who can bring prosecutions, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), alleged victims, witnesses, victims and witness services, prisons, probation services, the judiciary and lawyers. Defendants and convicted offenders are key participants. The system has evolved over time, has no single 'owner' and has been subject to regular change and reform. It incorporates a wide range of bodies with different functions and accountabilities. For it to work as efficiently as possible, each part must complete its work on time and get it right first time. There are many factors that make it difficult for the system to work efficiently. These include: - independence: organisations need a degree of independence from each other to ensure that the system is just, but each part depends on the others to allow it to function. There is a national Criminal Justice Board, which oversees the system as a whole; - discretion: the defendant and the witnesses can make choices about pleas or giving evidence, and can change their mind at short notice; - demand: although overall levels of crime are falling, the number of more complex court cases (for example, sex offences, complex fraud and terrorism) has increased; and - working practices: some parts of the system are still heavily paper-based, and all parts are operating under reduced budgets. Measuring whether the criminal justice system is achieving its many objectives is not always straightforward. Some objectives may conflict (for example, possible tension between punishing and rehabilitating offenders). Even when an objective is clear, for example ensuring that people who are guilty of an offence are convicted and innocent people are not, there is no simple way to know whether the system is achieving it. There are some elements of performance that can be measured more easily, including whether the different parts of the system are getting it right first time, whether cases are starting when they are supposed to and whether cases are being progressed reasonably quickly. Details: London: NAO, 2016. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: HC 852, Session 2015-16: https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Efficiency-in-the-criminal-justice-system.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Efficiency-in-the-criminal-justice-system.pdf Shelf Number: 137999 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyCriminal Justice System |
Author: Zambia. Human Rights Commission Title: A Survey Report on the Application of Bond and Bail Legislation in Zambia Summary: This survey was conducted to collect information on factors affecting access and conditions regarding bail among people found to be in conflict with the law in Zambia. The survey was conducted for a period of six months in all ten provinces of the country. The findings of this study are meant to provide a basis for the review of current bail legislation relating to bail conditions in Zambia by promoting easy access for suspects or inmates to bail regardless of their social and economic conditions. The target respondents for the surveys were inmates in prisons, police officers in charge of a police station, magistrates and public prosecutors. The survey also examined the current committal process of matters to the High Court and the transfer process of matters to other courts so as to determine causes of delays in the two processes. A total of 2,168 respondents were interviewed in this survey. The findings reveal that on average suspects in Zambia are kept in police custody for fourteen days before they are made to appear before the court. The survey has shown that in Lusaka suspects were kept in police custody for about 22 days. Eastern province had the least detention days of 6 days. Another key finding is that about 30% of the remandees indicated that they have been awaiting judgment for a period of over one year. Two- thirds said they have been awaiting judgment for a period of less than one month. Nearly 6% have been waiting for judgment for at least 9 months. The survey also revealed several reasons explaining why few suspects attempted applying for bail. The reasons brought forward included suspects lack of knowledge that they can apply for police bond or bail and; suspects having no working sureties to sign police bond for them. The survey revealed that bail conditions in Zambia are stringent, requiring suspects to provide two working sureties as a condition for granting of bail. Findings also showed that time taken for cases to be committed to the High Court can be inordinately long as can be the rendering of judgments. The survey thus revealed that there were challenges at every stage of the criminal justice process that hindered accused persons' enjoyment of their due process rights. In this regard, the Commission found that the criminal justice system has more often than not failed in its function of ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected with the country falling short of the principles enunciated in the international standards to which it is a party. There is therefore need for a thorough review of the existing law regarding the bail and police bond conditions in Zambia as well as the law and processes that regulate the committal of cases to the High Court. In addition to this is the need for sensitisation of the citizenry on the rights to bond and bail in Zambia. Chapter 1 focuses on the problem statement and situational analysis. It further speaks to the survey objectives and methodology used. Chapter 2 focuses on the law relating to bail and committal in Zambia. It demonstrates the relationship between human rights and criminal justice; the law relating to bail and committal; preliminary inquires; survey procedures and committal sentencing. In Chapter 3 of the report, the findings of the survey are discussed. These relate to the demographic characteristics of the respondents, arbitrary and over detention of suspects, the issue of legal representation and judgement. The findings reveal the bail and bond conditions, bail during trial, reasons for the court not granting bail and the process of transfer of cases from the lower court for committal to the high court. Finally Chapter 4 concludes with recommendations from the Human Rights Commission regarding the need for reform in the legal and justice system and specifically regarding bail and police bond and the committal process. Details: Lusaka: Human Rights Commission, 2014. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 22, 2016 at: http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/survey_report_hrc_zambia_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Zambia URL: http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/survey_report_hrc_zambia_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 145587 Keywords: Bail BondsCriminal CourtCriminal Justice SystemCriminal ProcedureDue ProcessHuman RightsPretrial Release |
Author: Yenkong, Pangmashi E.N. Title: Prisoners in-justice: Prisoners' encounters with the criminal justice system in Cameroon Summary: Imprisonment is the ultimate sanction of the state in nearly all countries, and its use in the developing world has risen considerably in recent years. The prison occupies a central place in the politics of crime control and has become a normal social destination for growing numbers of citizens. More than 9.25 million people today are held in penal institutions throughout the world mostly as pre-trial detainees or as sentenced prisoners. Africa now has one of the highest pre-trial detainees comprising of 45 per cent per 100,000. Overcrowding and under resourced are one of Africa's most pressing problems. African states such as Cameroon comprise one of Africa's most overcrowded prisons. Cameroon's prisons face a host of challenges, including deficits of good governance, funding and other resources. Two thirds of the entire prisoners in Cameroon are yet to be tried. The Bamenda Central prison comprises of one of the 72 prisons scattered around the national territory with an average prison population of 575 inmates. Cameroon is party to a number of International human rights treaties including the Convention against Torture and other cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). The Cameroonian government has also made considerable efforts recently to promote the rule of law in the country. This includes constitutional and legislative guarantees for fair judicial processes. Nonetheless, upon examination of the Bamenda Central prison, several common themes of human rights abuses emerges including the failure to protect the rights of accused persons, overcrowding and abusive prison conditions, and the unfulfilled mandate of rehabilitation. Throughout the country, as a result of the social and economic inequities that plagues the Cameroonian society, the difference between the rich and the poor continues to increase. A majority of the population remains unable to have access to the Criminal Justice system. The poor are far more likely than the rich to be arrested, if arrested charged, if charged convicted, and if convicted sentenced to prison. Hence the criminal justice has a model: the rich get richer and the poor get prison. At the time when it seems essential to comprehend what the prison is and how accused people get there, research into the criminal justice system lacks scholarship dearth. There has been a decline in academic interest, coupled with low levels of government research funding; and the failure to adequately address sensitive issues plaguing the criminal justice system. To date, the majority of research in prison has focused primarily on common areas of enquiry in prison and prison programs notably administration in prison, prison programs and prison welfare services. Prisoners have become less enthusiastic research areas as no study has been addressed relating to inmate's perception of justice. The central problematic in this research is how the prisoners view their situation in prison and how they see themselves with regard to the justice system in Cameroon. My main aim of this research was to engage in a dialogue with prisoners through interviews to be able to understand their agency in the prison and how that informs their perception of justice. Providing a space for these perspectives and experiences within the criminal justice system positions this thesis within a larger dialogue with human rights discourses, analysis of the prison, relationships of power and informal justice systems. Given these practical and theoretical interests, I discovered that I could only conduct such a study employing qualitative research methods skills. My methodology was guided by principles of participatory action research. In this context, I was actively involved with prisoners and families. I immersed my self in their prison culture and became part of a number of activities carried out by prisoners. I interacted with more than two hundred prisoners, and had extensive interviews with ninety-seven prisoners over an extended period of seven months. I wrote their lives prior to imprisonment, during and after prison. My primary goal was to relay their interviews using their words. I equally carried out a participant observation of the criminal justice agencies. I decided to employ a feedback to the outside community by building a bridge between prisoners to their respective families whom I considered as vital actors in the lives of inmates. Details: Leiden: Leiden University, African Studies Centre, 2011. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed October 13, 2016 at: https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/18563/ASC-075287668-3175-01.pdf?sequence=2 Year: 2011 Country: Cameroon URL: https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/18563/ASC-075287668-3175-01.pdf?sequence=2 Shelf Number: 144936 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemInmatesPre-trial DetaineesPrisonersPrisons |
Author: Colorado Child Safety Coalition Title: Bound and Broken: How DYC's Culture of Violence is Hurting Colorado Kids and What To Do About It Summary: Despite a mission of rehabilitation rather than punishment, the culture of the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) is plagued by punitive practices that cause physical and emotional harm to the young people in its care. DYC's culture of violence makes facilities unsafe for both children and staff and deters rehabilitation. This report draws on interviews with 21 young people who are or have been incarcerated in eleven of DYC's thirteen state-owned facilities, as well as a review of over 1,000 pages of internal DYC documents, videos and medical reports regarding incidents that occurred between 2013 and 2016. The report concludes that DYC staff used physical pain, isolation and verbal degradation against vulnerable young people, most of whom suffer from past abuse and mental illness. Knee strikes, painful pressure points and the WRAP – a full body straitjacket – are common currency in DYC's culture. There is a better way. In Missouri, juvenile facilities focus on true internalized change for kids by building strong relationships between youth and their peers and between youth and staff. Staff never use isolation, restraints like the WRAP, or pain compliance, because these punitive measures hurt children and prohibit development of trusting relationships with staff. Statistics show that Missouri kids and staff are safer. The "Missouri Approach" has become the gold standard for the care of juveniles and has been exported to other states with success. A pilot program in Colorado could change the culture of violence at DYC to keep kids and staff safe while promoting rehabilitation. Key Facts and Findings 1. Violence has been escalating in DYC facilities. External and internal measures confirm a dramatic increase in the number of documented fights and assaults, and complaints about violence from youth and staff to outside agencies have skyrocketed. 2. Young people and staff consistently report feeling unsafe in DYC facilities. 3. Most young people in DYC have experienced trauma. When youth with a history of trauma feel unsafe, they are less likely to be rehabilitated. 4. DYC staff routinely use physical force and pain to control young people. • DYC staff physically restrained youth at least 3,611 times between January 2016 and January 2017. Of those restraints, over sixty percent resulted in the use of mechanical restraints, such as handcuffs, shackles, or the WRAP. • The WRAP: DYC sanctions use of the WRAP, a full-body restraint banned in Arkansas after it was described as "torture" by the Juvenile Ombudsman. DYC placed children in the WRAP 253 times between January 2016 and January 2017. • Pain Compliance: DYC staff commonly use pain compliance techniques, whereby staff strike or put pressure on sensitive parts of the child’s body to purposely cause pain and gain compliance with staff directives. The U.S. Department of justice found pain compliance techniques violate children's constitutional rights. • DYC staff use force against youth who refuse to follow staff directives, even when those youth pose no immediate threat to safety. • These punitive techniques injure both youth and staff. According to DYC's own records, rates of injury to both young people and DYC staff are consistently higher than the national average and DYC’s internal goals. 5. Solitary Confinement: DYC placed young people in solitary confinement 2,240 times between January 2016 and January 2017. 6. DYC's own data shows that increased staffing alone, without changing DYC's punitive culture, will not ensure reduction of violence. 7. The Missouri Youth Services Institute, a non-profit dedicated to exporting the Missouri Approach, can bring a pilot program to Colorado and provide a template for broad cultural change within DYC, for a fraction of the cost of the funding requested this year by DYC. Details: s.l.: Colorado Child Safety Coalition, 2017. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2017 at: http://static.aclu-co.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Bound-and-Broken-report-Feb17-complete.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://static.aclu-co.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Bound-and-Broken-report-Feb17-complete.pdf Shelf Number: 144494 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemCulture of ViolenceJuvenile CorrectionsJuvenile DetentionJuvenile Inmates |
Author: Luna, Erik, ed. Title: Reforming Criminal Justice Volume 1: Introduction and Criminalization Summary: Reforming Criminal Justice is a four-volume report authored and reviewed by leading scholars in criminal law and other disciplines. The contributions to this report describe the need for reform in particular areas of American criminal justice and suggest policy recommendations to achieve such change. The ultimate goal is to fortify reform efforts currently afoot in the United States with the research and analysis of respected academics. In this way, the report hopes to increase the likelihood of success when worthwhile reforms are debated, put to a vote or otherwise considered for action, and implemented in the criminal justice system. The following offers a brief overview of the project. Volume 1 Table of Contents - Criminal Justice Reform: An Introduction Clint Bolick, Justice, Supreme Court of Arizona, and Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution - The Changing Politics of Crime and the Future of Mass Incarceration David Cole, Hon. George J. Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy, Georgetown University, and National Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union - Overcriminalization Douglas Husak, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers University - Overfederalization Stephen F. Smith, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame - Misdemeanors Alexandra Natapoff, Professor of Law, University of California, Irvine - Drug Prohibition and Violence Jeffrey A. Miron, Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Economics, Harvard University, and Director of Economic Studies, Cato Institute - Marijuana Legalization Alex Kreit, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Center for Criminal Law and Policy, Thomas Jefferson School of Law - Sexual Offenses Robert Weisberg, Edwin E. Huddleson, Jr. Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center, Stanford University - Firearms and Violence Franklin E. Zimring, William G. Simon Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Justice Research Program, University of California, Berkeley - Gangs Scott H. Decker, Foundation Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice and Director of the Center for Public Criminology, Arizona State University - Criminalizing Immigration Jennifer M. Chacon, Professor of Law, University of California, Irvine - Extraterritoral Jurisdiction Julie Rose O'Sullivan, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center - Mental Disorder and Criminal Justice Stephen J. Morse, Ferdinand Wakeman Hubbell Professor of Law, Professor of Psychology and Law in Psychiatry, and Associate Director of the Center for Neuroscience and Society, University of Pennsylvania - Juvenile Justice Barry C. Feld, Centennial Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Minnesota Details: Phoenix, AZ: Arizona State University, 2017. 428p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 18, 2017 at: http://academyforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Reforming-Criminal-Justice_Vol_1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://academyforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Reforming-Criminal-Justice_Vol_1.pdf Shelf Number: 148246 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyCriminal Justice ReformCriminal Justice System |
Author: Matczak, Anna Title: Understandings of punishment and justice in the narratives of lay Polish people Summary: This research brings to light the Polish context of a post-socialist, post-transformation society of peasant roots and high religiosity which greatly contributes to the comparative criminological scholarship. The purpose of this doctoral research is to explore how a small number of Polish people understand punishment and justice, and how their narratives inform the viability of restorative approaches to justice. In so doing, this research recognises the value of lay opinion in the discussion of punishment and justice, and approaches punishment and justice as social activities, which echoes the argument that stories about crime and punishment are entangled with people's daily routines, and as a result are lodged in their cultural imagination (see Garland & Sparks, 2000). The socialist past, hasty transition from socialism to democracy and from a centrally-planned to free market economy has influenced participants' perceptions of the justice administration and the institutions involved in these processes. Lay Polish people shall be seen as Homo post-Sovieticus, whose perceptions of punishment and justice need to be analysed along with the legacy of the previous socialist system as well as post-1989 changes. Participants' perceptions of the Polish criminal justice system, the Polish police and unpaid work assist to understand a number of factors that might influence the development of restorative justice in the Polish context. The findings of this study also encourage broadening the scope of the restorative justice discussion and examining its preconditions against wider sociological and criminological discourses on punishment and justice. Although the relationship might be defined as 'uneasy', restorative justice, since its conception, is interwoven with the two. One of restorative justice's central hopes was to establish an alternative system of crime resolution that would eliminate the infliction of pain. However, the trajectory of restorative practices and demonstrates that the functioning of a majority of them is dependent on the criminal justice agencies and that there is a need to address better the notion of punishment in restorative encounters. Details: London: London School of Economics and Political Science, 2017. 318p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 21, 2018 at: http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/3668/1/Matczak__understandings-of-punishment.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Poland URL: http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/3668/1/Matczak__understandings-of-punishment.p Shelf Number: 150621 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemPunishment Restorative Justice |
Author: Redgrave, Harvey Title: Examining the case for justice devolution Summary: What is meant by 'justice devolution'? Why is it needed and what difference will it actually make to people's lives? In a world of rising demand and shrinking budgets, justice devolution is firmly on the agenda and there is growing interest in and support for the idea of a more localised justice system. Harvey Redgrave's report for the think tank GovernUp argues that it no longer makes sense for government to continue tinkering around the edges, attempting top-down reform of individual criminal justice agencies from above. Instead, local leaders should be empowered to join up services from the bottom up - in order to deal with the root cause of crime - rather than managing its consequences and to ensure services can be built around the needs of victims. Details: London: Crest Advisory, 2016. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2018 at: http://crestadvisory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/governup-harvey-redgrave-justice-devolution-report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://crestadvisory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/governup-harvey-redgrave-justice-devolution-report.pdf Shelf Number: 151603 Keywords: Criminal Justice AdministrationCriminal Justice ReformCriminal Justice SystemDecentralizationPolice AccountabilityPolice Performance |
Author: Felbab-Brown, Vanda Title: AMLO's Security Policy: Creative Ideas, Tough Reality Summary: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -- - Improving public safety, especially reducing Mexico's soaring murder rate, is the toughest challenge of Mexico's new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (known as AMLO). - In November 2018, AMLO unveiled his National Peace and Security Plan 2018-2024, describing it as predominantly focused on the roots of insecurity, as opposed to confronting drug trafficking organizations (DTOs). The plan combines anti-corruption measures; economic policies; enhanced human rights protections; ethics reforms; public health, including treatment for drug use and exploration of drug legalization; transitional justice and amnesty for some criminals; and broader peace-building, to include traditional anti-crime measures such as prison reform and security sector reform, plus a new law enforcement force, the National Guard. - Various elements of his announced new security strategy-such as the formation of the National Guard - remain questionable and unclear and are unlikely to reduce violence quickly. - AMLO's proffered security strategy will likely create friction with the United States. Jointly countering fentanyl smuggling, however, could provide one venue of U.S.- Mexico cooperation. Corruption and Mexico's justice system - Combatting corruption is a foundational element of AMLO's security policy, and his administration has adopted a wide set of anti-corruption measures, including highly controversial and questionable ones. - However, AMLO has yet to appoint a dedicated anti-corruption prosecutor, make appointments to the National Anti-Corruption System, and support the 2016 National Anti-Corruption System reform. - AMLO has not broken with politically powerful and immensely corrupt unions, proposing instead to reverse reforms and lay off 70 percent of non-unionized federal workers. - It remains unclear whether AMLO will empower Mexico's civil society-crucial for reducing corruption-or continually define it as his antagonist. - AMLO's administration has not yet focused sufficiently on implementing the judicial reform by properly implementing the new prosecutorial system. - The administration has emphasized minimizing salary differences between public ministries, federal judges, prosecutors, and police officials. The weakness of prosecutors and their lack of cooperation with law enforcement and judges have been key stumbling blocks, keeping prosecution rates abysmally low. However, minimizing salary differences is inadequate. - Deleteriously, AMLO has refused to allow the independent selection of an autonomous attorney general. Focus on brutal crimes instead of drug trafficking groups and rejection of high-value targeting - The AMLO administration suspended focus on DTOs, drug trafficking, and high-value targeting of DTO leaders. Instead, it prioritizes "brutal crimes." But that strategy ignores the fact that key perpetrators of homicides, extortion, and robberies are DTOs. - Large law enforcement deployments to Tijuana and efforts to combat fuel theft have been interpreted by DTOs as direct confrontation. Instead, AMLO should prioritize targeting the most violent criminal groups, while deterring new outbreaks of violence. - The target should be the middle operational layer of a criminal group, seeking to disable the vast majority of the middle layer in one sweep, in order to reduce the group's regeneration capacity. - The Mexican government remains challenged in implementing such a policy by the continual lack of strategic and tactical intelligence in an ever more fragmented, mult-ipolar, and opaque criminal market, and by the continual corruption of Mexico's law enforcement apparatus. The National Guard -- - AMLO has not stopped using the Mexican military for domestic law enforcement. However, he has created a new structure combining military forces with Federal Police forces-The National Guard. - To be completed in three years, the National Guard is to be 150,000-strong. Sent initially to 17 areas with high homicide rates, the first contingent of 50,000 is to start functioning by April 2019. The head of the National Guard is a civilian, but much of the leadership is military.... Details: Washington, DC: Foreign Policy at Brookings Institute, 2019. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 27, 2019 at: https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FP_20190325_mexico_anti-crime.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Mexico URL: https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FP_20190325_mexico_anti-crime.pdf Shelf Number: 155191 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyCriminal Justice SystemDrug TraffickingHomicidesNational SecurityPolitical CorruptionPublic SafetySecurity ForcesViolent Crimes |