COMMUNITARIANISM AND PROFESSIONALISM - A VALUES ORIENTED APPROACH TO CRIMINAL-JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY

Democratic communitarian theory, in the context of criminal justice pr ofessionalism, provides a normative framework for the development and application of criminal justice technology. The theory says that indiv idual liberty is attainable only in communities that share and perpetu ate democratic norms. With a particular emphasis on ''responsible use, '' the theory requires the use of technology to strengthen synergy wit hin the community while exercising restraint in creating and using pot entially threatening technologies. Some emergent practice reflects the theory. Facilitative technologies include those that enhance communic ations, enable people to be treated as individuals, make surveillance minimally intrusive, enable control to be less harmful, improve forens ic science to reduce system error, enhance productivity, and empower c itizens. Technology assessment is an imperative of responsible use but , ultimately, the theory says that technology cannot substitute for hu man effort in building democratic communities.