NCJ

NCJ: National Criminal Justice

The term NCJ commonly refers to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS), a federally funded resource offering justice and drug-related information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide. This article will explore the history, functions, and significance of the NCJRS, as well as its impact on the field of criminal justice.

History

The National Criminal Justice Reference Service was established in 1972 by the United States Department of Justice. It was created to provide a centralized source of information on criminal justice topics, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and crime prevention. Over the years, NCJRS has evolved to include a wide range of resources and services, including publications, abstracts, and a virtual library.

Functions

NCJRS serves several key functions:

• Information Dissemination: NCJRS provides access to a vast collection of publications, reports, and research findings related to criminal justice. This includes documents from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and other federal agencies.

• Research Support: The service supports researchers by offering access to a comprehensive database of abstracts and full-text documents. Researchers can find information on a variety of topics, such as juvenile justice, substance abuse, and victimology.

• Policy Development: NCJRS aids policymakers by providing data and analysis that inform the development of effective criminal justice policies and programs.

• Public Education: The service educates the public on criminal justice issues through its publications and online resources, helping to raise awareness and understanding of crime and justice topics.

Resources

NCJRS offers a variety of resources, including:

• NCJRS Abstracts Database: A comprehensive database containing summaries of over 200,000 criminal justice publications.

• Virtual Library: An online repository of full-text documents, including government reports, journal articles, and research studies.

• Publications: NCJRS publishes newsletters, bulletins, and reports on current criminal justice issues.

• Webinars and Conferences: The service hosts webinars and conferences to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas among criminal justice professionals.

Impact

The impact of NCJRS on the field of criminal justice is significant. By providing access to a wealth of information and resources, NCJRS supports the work of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. It helps to advance the understanding of crime and justice issues and contributes to the development of effective strategies for crime prevention and control.

Also see

• Criminal Justice
• National Institute of Justice
• Office of Justice Programs
• Crime Prevention
• Law Enforcement