THE 1976 PRELIMINARY CRIME FIGURES FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE OVERALL CRIME RATE DID NOT INCREASE. THE ONLY THING WHICH HAS KEPT PACE WITH THE INCREASE IN CRIME IS THE RHETORIC OF POLITICIANS WHO CONSTANTLY STATE THAT SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THE HIGH CRIME RATE. THE MAIN QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN ASKED ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS WHY IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPANDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY. THE SYSTEM IS DRIFTING AIMLESSLY, WITH NO SET POLICIES FOR REVISION. HOWEVER, IF THE SYSTEM IS CORRECTED, IT MUST NOT BE USED TO REMEDY ALL SOCIAL PROBLEMS. THE GREAT DISPARITY IN SENTENCING AND PAROLE DECISIONS SHOWS HOW UNJUST THE SYSTEM ACTUALLY IS. INSTEAD OF REHABILITATION, ITS GOAL SHOULD BE PROMPT JUSTICE AND THE THREAT OF SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR DETERRENT PURPOSES. ECONOMIC AS WELL AS VIOLENT CRIMES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS SYSTEM. SIMILAR CRIMES SHOULD RECEIVE SIMILAR PUNISHMENT TO MAKE THE SYSTEM FAIR. VIOLENT OFFENDERS NEED AN ALTERNATIVE TO CRIME WHICH COULD BE PROVIDED BY SERVICES FOR POTENTIAL VICTIMS, SUCH AS TENANT PROTECTION AND ESCORTS. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF CHANGES, BUT THE REFORM PROCESS CAN ONLY MOVE SLOWLY, ACCORDING TO THE MOST IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES. (BAC)