REAL PROGRESS IN MEETING THIS PROBLEM CAN BE ACHIEVED BY IMMEDIATE ACTION TO BUILD THE SYSTEM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE INTO AN EFFECTIVE FORCE. HIGH PRIORITY MUST BE GIVEN TO THIS EFFORT BY GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS, BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND BY INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS. WORK MUST BE DONE TO PREVENT THE CYCLE OF REPEATED AND PROGRESSIVELY MORE SERIOUS DELINQUENT AND CRIMINAL ACTS WHICH BEGIN WITH AN INDIVIDUAL'S FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. RELIABLE DATA ABOUT DELINQUENCY AND CRIME ARE INADEQUATE FOR PLANNING, PROGRAMMING OR BUDGETING PURPOSES. SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUBSTANTIAL SUMS. THE INADEQUACIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM EXACT A FAR GREATER COST IN DOLLARS IN THE SUFFERINGS EXPERIENCED BY THE VICTIMS OF CRIME, AND IN THE WASTED LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE NEVER SUCCESSFULLY DISCHARGED FROM THE SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)