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Long Range Planning of Criminal Justice Systems

NCJ Number
72771
Journal
Long Range Planning Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: (August 1979) Pages: 42-50
Author(s)
W Clifford
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article argues that crime will continue to be part of the total political, economic, and social patterns of any human society and should be considered in comprehensive future planning.
Abstract
The failure to deal adequately with the issue of future crime in future planning is incomprehensible in a world dramatically troubled by escalating crime, both nationally and internationally. However, since the Fourth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders held in 1970, there has been a world community call for crime prevention policies and plans to be integrated with national and regional planning. Although this recognition of the problem signifies a beginning, it falls short of the international perspectives and tools which will be needed. It is suggested that if simulation could be used as a device to affect policymaking in criminal justice systems, it could fulfill an important role in the development of such systems. In planning for future crime prevention, perspectives should focus upon the need for control of institutions or collectivities which have the power to affect the safety and security of citizens, the need to prevent corruption in public offices and private businesses, the need for new concerns with pollution and discrimination, and the short list of serious offenses which no society can readily permit. It is essential to consider the possible effect of future crime on the planning process itself, i.e., planning to prevent crime will not take place in a vacuum. When future scenarios are drawn they should reflect philosophies and lifestyles offering contrasts between permissive and restrictive criminal policies. It is also essential to take into account the present and probable future states of morals and religion, as well as biases of existing system components. Models should include an international dimension and should contemplate the possible extremes of permissiveness and order, and the situations to which they would lead. Reference notes are provided. (lwm)