THE STATUS OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

There is a general absence of criminological research within the federal government. Three reasons are advanced to this neglect: (1) criminol ogy is generally considered to be a developing and untried discipline; (2) the legal profession is viewed as encompassing the study of criminal behavior; and (3) the scientific investigation of deviant behavior is perceived as threatening to basic values of society. Following considera tion of impediments to the development of criminology, future prospects and directions for our discipline are discussed.     

THE POLITICS AND MANAGEMENT OF HUNG AUTHORITIES

Hung local authorities have grown in numbers in recent years. This paper analyses the experience of those authorities. First it reviews the growing body of literature and argues that it has largely been concerned with particular authorities. The authors then proposed a research-based classification of hung authorities, before examining both the nature of political behaviour and changes in management. Finally, the paper identifies factors leading to stability and instability in hung authorities and the characteristics of both situations.     

THE EXERCISE OF POWER IN COERCIVE ORGANIZATIONS: A STUDY OF PRISON GUARDS*

If the power of prison guards has been altered and reduced by recent social, legal, and bureaucratic instructions in American prisons, as has been reported by many observers, then what is the base of power by which guards currently exert control over prisoners? Following a discussion of the bases of power in prison, data from a survey of guards in five prisons are examined to determine the extent to which each power base is viewed as a resource to gain prisoner compliance. The results are discussed in terms of the guards’exercise of control within the increasingly bureaucratic structure of coercive organizations.