An introductory section considers pressures on criminal justice systems to adapt to new conditions, including serious forms of transnational crime that require international cooperation; demands for access to justice; and the growing influence of restorative justice principles on criminal justice institutions. The paper's second section outlines priorities for criminal justice reform. These include the criminal justice system's interaction with diverse populations, such as women, children, the elderly, ethnic and cultural minorities, and people with disabilities; the protection of population groups vulnerable to criminal victimization; sentencing and correctional alternatives to imprisonment; and the incorporation of international standards and resources in priorities and designs for reform. The third section of the paper identifies and discusses opportunities for the effective enhancement of criminal justice. Among the eight areas of opportunity addressed are integrated and comprehensive reforms, regional and international coordination in reform efforts, the involvement of community and nongovernmental institutions in criminal justice reforms, and the monitoring and evaluation of criminal justice practices. Thirteen recommendations are offered as guidance for criminal justice reforms. 24 notes