As the criminal justice system approaches the 21st century, those words still ring true. Outside forces also shape our future. News of crime, especially as portrayed on television, has brought a sense of immediacy and danger into our living rooms.
American citizens list the fear of crime as an overriding concern in their lives.
In many jurisdictions, indefinite sentences and the hope of parole for many have been curtailed or eliminated. As a result, our prison populations will continue to grow, inexorably consuming more and more resources. It is conceivable that a taxpayer backlash will ensue, with a demand for more prudent use of expensive prison beds. The influence of the courts on how prisons are managed is also in flux. The pendulum of public opinion and court decisions is swinging away from inmate rights and toward the rights of society and victims.