NIJ Journal Issue No. 257

• NCJ Number: 218257
• Journal: National Institute of Justice Journal Issue: 257 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 1-43
• Date Published: June 2007
• Length: 48 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Journal
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Collected Work

Annotation

This issue of the National Institute of Justice Journal contains articles that highlight some of the most important challenges for criminal justice, including prison reentry, hate crime legislation, and agroterrorism.

Abstract

This edition of the Journal celebrates the 40th anniversary of the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice’s 1967’s seminal report entitled, “The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society,” which has significantly influenced criminal justice research and practice in the United States. One of the articles pays tribute to the work of Professor Alfred Blumstein, who led the Commission and whose own research made him a pivotal figure in shaping criminal justice policies and practices in the United States during the 21st century. In another article, two of the National Institute of Justice’s most senior researchers reflect on the President’s Crime Commission and its accomplishments. Several articles within this edition presents evaluation findings of different inmate programs, such as Project Greenlight, a short-term, prison-based reentry demonstration program that has nine components, including cognitive-behavioral skills training, employment assistance, and drug education and awareness. Another evaluation assessed three prison programs designed to help inmates apply for Federal medical benefits prior to their release while another study focused on whether the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) “real work” program for offenders had a positive impact on post-prison employment and recidivism rates among participants. One of the articles presents excerpts of a speech made by Los Angeles Police Department Chief Bill Bratton at the 2006 National Institute of Justice’s annual conference, which focused on the tension between criminal justice practitioners and researchers. The current state of hate crime research and legislation in America is considered and the impact of sexual assault on members of the deaf community is analyzed. A final article explores the role and preparedness of law enforcement in the event of a terrorist attack on America’s food supply, known as agroterrorism. Tables, figures, notes