Bridging the Gaps
A Self‑Directed Literature Review
***
This guide was developed to assist students, professors, executives of local criminal justice systems, and appointed and elected officials of general government to have a better understanding on how the criminal justice system should function. It may also be of special interest to citizens and public officials who sense that more collaboration and coordination is needed to enhance criminal justice decision making which, in turn, will have a positive impact on local criminal justice systems.
Leslie J. Smith advocates that the performance of the criminal justice system should be measured in terms of achieving the goals and objectives of each component collectively. Although the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the U.S. government are constitutionally independent and not required to engage in any coordinated planning activities, these requirements should not lead to poor performance. It is essential to promote positive government through increased collaboration by identifying philosophical principles that will promote the participation of citizens, law enforcement, judiciary, prosecution, corrections, victims, treatment providers, and educators in the development of strategies to prevent, reduce and control crime. There are approximately twenty states throughout the United States that have fostered criminal justice collaborations of this type. The key to accomplishing this objective is effective leadership. This approach is growing in popularity and this book will assist in the further development of this strategy.
This guide provides a step-by-step strategy that simplifies the aforementioned issues. It will be especially advantageous for newly appointed criminal coordinators, planners, and others that are charged with creating a hands-on approach to coordinating their local criminal justice processes. Above all, as criminal justice presses forward to the future, the guide will assist in "bridging the gap" between traditional and contemporary approaches to criminal justice planning.
Leslie J. Smith advocates that the performance of the criminal justice system should be measured in terms of achieving the goals and objectives of each component collectively. Although the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the U.S. government are constitutionally independent and not required to engage in any coordinated planning activities, these requirements should not lead to poor performance. It is essential to promote positive government through increased collaboration by identifying philosophical principles that will promote the participation of citizens, law enforcement, judiciary, prosecution, corrections, victims, treatment providers, and educators in the development of strategies to prevent, reduce and control crime. There are approximately twenty states throughout the United States that have fostered criminal justice collaborations of this type. The key to accomplishing this objective is effective leadership. This approach is growing in popularity and this book will assist in the further development of this strategy.
This guide provides a step-by-step strategy that simplifies the aforementioned issues. It will be especially advantageous for newly appointed criminal coordinators, planners, and others that are charged with creating a hands-on approach to coordinating their local criminal justice processes. Above all, as criminal justice presses forward to the future, the guide will assist in "bridging the gap" between traditional and contemporary approaches to criminal justice planning.
🔃
Self‑Published Addendum
A Community‑Based, Public‑Health–Informed Justice Model for the 21st Century
Copyright © 2026
This monograph advances a community-based, modern, public‑health‑aligned justice model that elevates reintegration alongside traditional sentencing goals. Its vision is a 21st‑century system grounded in shared governance, community partnership, prevention, and political commitment; one that prioritizes local collaboration, community-based triage systems, problem‑solving justice, and data‑driven decision‑making, with reintegration at its core.
***
Notable Quotes and References
“It needs more technical resources. It needs more
coordination among its many parts. It needs more public support. It needs the
help of community programs.” Addressing the necessary improvements needed within the American criminal justice system, The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society, 1967
“Save Jail Space for the Dangerous." - Governor Chris Christie.
“The cradle‑to‑prison pipeline is one of the greatest
threats to American democracy.” Marian
Wright Edelman
"Decaying cities, declining economies, and mounting social troubles travel together. The combination is not coincidental.” Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities
"Independent and nonpartisan, the Council is an invitational membership organization and think tank, serving as a center of gravity and incubator of policy and leadership for the criminal justice field."
***
A Community Education Partnership
This blog promotes collaborative, self-directed learning among community members, justice system practitioners, and educators dedicated to constitutional policing, public safety, and community-centered reform. Each resource is designed to enhance the collective understanding of the criminal justice system, foster informed public dialogue, and develop practical skills for evidence-based, community-driven change.
Leslie J. Smith
Criminal Justice System Solutions
817.994.8851
New Criminal Justice Values Cost Less Than Building Jails and Produce Better Results
