Congress created NILECJ in 1968 to encourage research and development in criminal justice. The agency has experienced three major phases. The early technology years covered the period 1968-74. The basic research years went from 1975 to 1982. The years from 1983-89 have been the policy-relevant years. The analysis concludes that throughout its history, the Institute has failed to integrate its innovation-diffusion mission systematically and fully. More systematic attention to integrating the entire innovation-diffusion process in the future will strengthen the production and application of new ideas. Table and 18 references (Author abstract modified)