Encyclopedia Of Community

"This encyclopedia is a welcome exploration of the great variety of social networks that human beings create and participate in. Interdisciplinary in scope, the set includes contributions from some of the foremost scholars studying community today. Appendixes include an extensive bibliography, a collection of resources guides, an annotated guide to "Community in Popular Culture," and "Libraries Build Community," a guide for librarians."--"The Top 20 Reference Titles of the Year," American Libraries, May 2004

In response to recognition in the late 1960s and early 1970s that traditional incarceration was not working, alternatives to standard prison settings were sought and developed. One of those alternatives—community-based corrections—had been conceived in the 1950s as a system that might prove more progressive, humane, and effective, particularly with people who had committed less serious criminal offenses and for whom incarceration, with constant exposure to serious offenders and career criminals, might prove more damaging than rehabilitative. The alternative of community corrections has evolved to become a substantial part of the criminal justice and correctional system, spurred in recent years not so much by a progressive, humane philosophy as by dramatically increasing prison populations, court orders to "fix" overextended prison settings, and an economic search for cost savings. Although community correction programs have been in place for some 40 years now, to date no comprehensive reference resource has tackled this topic. Accessible and jargon-free and available in both print and electronic formats, the one-volume Encyclopedia of Community Corrections will explore all aspects of community corrections, from its philosophical foundation to its current inception. Features & Benefits: 150 signed entries (each with Cross References and Further Readings) are organized in A-to-Z fashion to give students easy access to the full range of topics in community corrections. A thematic Reader's Guide in the front matter groups entries by broad topical or thematic areas to make it easy for users to find related entries at a glance. In the electronic version, the Reader's Guide combines with a detailed Index and the Cross References to provide users with convenient search-and-browse capacities. A Chronology in the back matter helps students put individual events into broader historical context. A Glossary provides students with concise definitions to key terms in the field. A Resource Guide to classic books, journals, and web sites (along with the Further Readings accompanying each entry) guides students to further resources in their research journeys. An Appendix offers statistics from the Bureau of Justice.

"This encyclopedia of virtual communities and technologies provides a much needed integrated overview of all the critical concepts, technologies and issues in the area of virtual communities"--Provided by publisher.

"This encyclopedia will give readers insight on how other organizations have tackled the necessary means of sharing knowledge across communities and functions" -- Provided by publisher.

Community policing, as a philosophy, supports the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues, including crime, social disorder, and fear of crime—as opposed to responding to crime after it occurs. Community policing expands the traditional police mandate. It broadens the focus of fighting crime to include solving community problems and forming partnerships with people in the community so average citizens can contribute to the policing process. Originating during police reform efforts of the 1970s, the philosophy of community policing is currently widespread and embraced by many citizens, police administrators, scholars, and local and federal politicians. What sorts of collaborative partnerships have evolved between policing agencies and the individuals and communities they serve? How do police departments engage in systematic examination of identified problems to develop effective responses? How have police departments aligned their organizational structures to best support community partnerships and proactive problem solving? Just how effective have efforts at community policing been? These questions and more are explored within the pages of this new reference work. Features: A collection of 150 to 175 entries are organized in A-to-Z fashion in one volume available in both electronic and print formats. Signed entries, authored by significant figures in the field, each conclude with Cross-References and Suggestions for Further Readings to guide students to in-depth resources. Brief "What Works" case studies within appropriate entries profile community policing programs and strategies as tried in various cities and communities. Although organized in A-to-Z fashion, a thematic "Reader′s Guide" in the front matter groups related entries by broad topic areas (e.g., Foundations; Methods & Practices; Legislation & National Organizations; Changing Agency Culture; Planning & Implementation; Training & Curriculum; Assessment & Evaluation; etc.). Also included in the front matter, a Chronology provides students with historical perspective of the development of community policing. The entire work concludes with a Resources appendix listing classic books, journals, and associations, followed by a comprehensive Index.

"This encyclopedia provides a thorough examination of concepts, technologies, policies, training, and applications of ICT in support of economic and regional developments around the globe"--Provided by publisher.