Trust and Confidence in Criminal Justice, NIJ Journal 248

摘要

Criminal justice in America today is a paradox of progress: While the fairness and effectiveness of criminal justice have improved, public trust and confidence apparently have not. Criminal justice is far less corrupt, brutal, and racially unfair than it has been in the past. It is arguably more effective at preventing crime. It has far greater diversity in its staffing. Yet these objectively defined improvements seem to have had little impact on American attitudes toward criminal justice. Understanding this paradox better work but low marks is central to improving public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.