Witness involvement in the criminal justice system and intention to cooperate in future prosecutions

This study examined whether systems-related problems or relationships with criminal justice personnel were the more important factors associated with witness intention to cooperate in future prosecutions. Using correlation and regression analysis procedures it was determined thatfactors related to the responsiveness of criminal justice system personnel were significantly greater predictors than system-related factors of an intention to cooperate in the future. It was concluded that the responsiveness of personnel to a witness is a very important factor in the witness's formation of attitudes toward the criminal justice system and his or her participation in that system, and that the personnel in a prosecutor's office who interact with witnesses should be aware of the role they play in influencing these attitudes.     

Critical justice consciousness: Social injustice and the criminal justice system

In this essay I examine the importance of social justice to my identity and the changing interpretation of my “justice consciousness” resulting from changes in my work life. Drawing on my academic experience as well as my experience as an attorney, I describe the meaning that social justice has for me. I also examine the connections that I see between social injustice and the operation of the critical justice system.     

The effect of maternal incarceration on adult offspring involvement in the criminal justice system

Researchers have estimated that 63 percent of incarcerated women have one or more minor children and most reported living with their children prior to incarceration (Mumola, 2000). Unfortunately, children of incarcerated parents have been a relatively invisible population in the research on the collateral consequences of incarceration. The goal of the current study was to examine the long-term effect of maternal incarceration on adult offspring involvement in the criminal justice system using data from the mother child sample of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979. Based on existing research, it was hypothesized that the adult offspring of incarcerated mothers would be more likely to have been convicted of a crime or to be sentenced to probation. The effect of maternal incarceration on correlates of criminal behavior in adolescence and early adulthood (e.g., negative peer influences, positive home environment) was also modeled to assess possible indirect effects. The results highlighted the direct effect of incarceration on adult offspring involvement in the criminal justice system, but parental incarceration had little association with correlates of criminal behavior.     

Colonialism and the criminal justice system in Nigeria

This article examines the development and subsequent evolution of Nigeria's criminal justice system. The history of the Criminal justice system in Nigeria dates back to the colonization of the country in the late 1800's by Europeans, who introduced imprisonment based on their own correctional system.

Although interpretation of the causes of the development of the Criminal Justice system in Nigeria may differ, there can be no disputing the fact that the system is foreign‐made. Here was an invasion and revolution in social practice. The earlier events that led to the development of Nigeria's criminal justice system include: the British occupation of Nigeria, The Nigeria‐Europe confrontation and the Slave Trade. Although some British participants in the development of criminal justice in Nigeria had humanistic and religious inclinations, the system was formed to protect the Europeans from the natives they were exploiting and oppressing.     

Foundation for a temperament-based theory of antisocial behavior and criminal justice system involvement

Background

Temperament has been shown to be associated with behavior for millennia but has not been explicitly used in a theory of crime.

Methods

This state-of-the-art review incorporates theory and research from over 300 studies from developmental psychology, psychiatry, genetics, neuroscience, and criminology to introduce a temperament-based theory of antisocial conduct with criminal justice system implications.

Findings

Two temperamental constructs—effortful control and negative emotionality—are significantly predictive of self-regulation deficits and behavioral problems in infancy, in toddlerhood, in childhood, in adolescence, and across adulthood.

Conclusion

Unlike other theories that focus merely on explaining problem behaviors, our temperament approach also explains negative and aversive interactions with criminal justice system practitioners and associated maladjustment or noncompliance with the criminal justice system. A program of research is also offered to examine and test the theory.     

Working together to cut numbers in the criminal justice system

Here at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, we are not strictly speaking a campaigning organisation. However, we are interested in forming a coalition with academics, practitioners, our members and all those for whom the current rate of imprisonment and the government's concerted lack of commitment to the significant reduction of prison numbers, is of grave and ongoing concern; it is unacceptable.     

The right to counsel in Iranian criminal justice system

Criminal law deals with very important aspects of the life in the society. The subjects of the crime, health, reputation … are so important that endangering them requires punishment and it is told that the society in order to protect the public order should punish the perpetrators. There is no doubt that the criminals should be punished. The punishment enacted by the legislator should be proportional. The more serious the crime, the more severe the punishment. But, it seems that in the process of criminal trial, the accused has rights too. It means that society has not an absolute authority in accusation and punishment and in addition to the proportionality and justification of punishment the trial should be fair. In other words, it is not possible to speak about justice any more if the criminal is punished proportionally and rightly but not fairly, i.e. without allowing him/her to present his/her case, defend him/herself and obtain legal aid or sufficient information. Iranian criminal law, like other criminal justice systems in respecting the rights of the accused, has provided the right to counsel. This value can be expressed in the concept of the rule of law, recognized in international documents. It seems that the standards of the criminal procedure are mostly determined and developed under the influence of this concept. The current paper considers different aspects of the right to counsel in Iran.     

The mentally retarded offender in the criminal justice system

The problem of the mentally retarded offender begins at the first encounter with the criminal justice system and continues through the correctional system. A recent survey compared attitudus of police and mental health professional. Police (78%) felt that disturbed person (including mentally retarded offenders) should be handcuffed when being transported. In contrast, mental health professionals (84%) felt no individual should be handcuffed. The mentally retarded offenders, once incarcerated, are a group that is confronted with problems beyond those usually associated with prison life. The authors examine the complex issued stemming from the special conditions of the MRO and suggest recommendations for developing rational attitudes and policies within the criminal justice system.     

Developments in criminal law and criminal justice

LL.B., Victoria University of Wellington 1969; J.S.M., Stanford University 1972.