Synopses & Reviews
This is the first comprehensive account of President Herbert Hoover's policies to reform federal criminal justice administration. Beginning with the first words in his inaugural address, Hoover informed the public that a high priority of his administration would be to insist upon reorganization, qualitative improvement, new efficiencies, and formal study of justice system organizations in the federal system. Calder examines Hoover's background and affinity for justice system reform, the campaign trail and crime control issues of 1928 and 1929, intellectual and practitioner resources, the Wickersham Commission, and the reforms of the federal law enforcement, court, and prison systems.
Drawing upon extensive primary source collections, this book provides a thorough examination of the Hoover initiatives and assesses their impact on later federal policy. It will be of considerable interest to political scientists, social historians, and those involved in criminal justice programs.
Synopsis
A comprehensive examiniation of Herbert Hoover's initiatives to organize the federal criminal justice system.
Synopsis
Calder's book is the only one to deal with the Hoover initiatives to organize and direct the first systematic federal crime studies and to reorganize federal law enforcement, judicial, and correctional agencies. As president, Hoover inherited a loosely defined and unsystematized collection of federal agencies, but he asserted a new policy of reform of the justice system. He retained highly competent administrators to implement his reforms, and he dogged Congress until he received authority to complete his policy agenda.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [281]-304) and index.
About the Author
JAMES D. CALDER is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice in the Division of Social and Policy Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Table of Contents
Hoover's Mark on Federal Justice Policy
From Campaign to Crash: The Honeymoon
Intellectual Resources for New Policy Initiatives
Scientific Investigation: The Wickersham Commission
Reforming Federal Cops and Courts
Al Capone and the Campaign Against Organized Crime
Federal Prison Reforms
Marginal Concerns: Lynching, Massie, Pardons, Lindbergh, and Bonus Army
March 4, 1933: Report Card on Crime and Justice Reforms
Bibliography
Index