Nkechi Taifa

One of the top issues on the front burner of debate today is unemployment. Seldom, however, does the discussion include the connection of joblessness to crime. Indeed, linkages are also seldom made between the impact of inadequate education, poor health care, insufficient housing, and other indicia of poverty with criminal activity. The factors that contribute to delinquent and criminal behavior are interrelated and involve multiple disciplines and government institutions. The solutions must be integrative as well.

Unfortunately, current policy relies on incarceration as the primary strategy for addressing crime, despite its exorbitant costs and questionable public safety returns. This has resulted in a cycle of incarceration, fueled by "tough on crime" policies. Crime, however, cannot be effectively addressed in isolation, devoid of an analysis of the broader social context. It must be addressed through an integrative approach that calls for a comprehensive criminal justice strategy that tackles the underlying, interrelated social issues that fuel the cycle of incarceration.

There is an energy and enthusiasm across the disciplinary spectrum in stopping the cycle of incarceration before it begins through an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to justice reform that strengthens communities and affords those most at risk an opportunity to thrive. Indeed, with a recession in full swing, the stakes have never been higher. The opportunities, however, are bright. Recent federal legislative proposals such as the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) with strong support from Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); the Youth PROMISE Act, introduced by Representatives Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.) and Michael Castle (R-Del.) and Senators Robert Casey (D-Pa.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine); and the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act, introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), represent a shift from the ineffective and costly punishment based policy-making paradigm toward a fiscally responsible and effective comprehensive approach focused on preventative front-end reforms.

In addition to Congressional leadership, strong federal leadership from the White House is needed to reorient federal criminal justice policy toward a more integrative approach. A White House Summit on Integrative Justice - akin to previous health care and economic summits, as well the recent Jobs Summit, would provide a forum for researchers, service providers, academics, advocates, and policymakers from across the disciplinary spectrum to inform the policies and strategies adopted by the Administration to prevent crime, enhance public safety, and effectively respond to the serious crisis that exists in America's urban areas. White House leadership would send a strong message to policymakers that an integrative approach to justice is a national priority, is a more effective means of ensuring public safety, and is critical if we are to correct the flawed policy choices that have led to the problems facing urban America. The Wednesday, Dec. 9 ACS panel discussion on criminal justice policy offers an important opportunity to explore both the need for an integrative approach to justice as well as critical opportunities for federal leadership.

[Image via b.keelerfoster]