The Criminal Justice Sector Assessment
Rating Tool: Assessor Information
A PRODUCT OF THE INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP
ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR EVALUATION
I NTRODUCTION
The events of September 11, 2001 demonstrated the direct and lethal
threat posed to U.S. national security by a state that openly exploits its
dearth of democratic processes and lack of legitimate rule of law.
Recognition of the serious threat posed by states that previously were
thought largely incapable of directly harming the United States has
required a substantial examination of, and alteration in, national
security strategy.
As the U.S. government adjusts tactics for fighting the long war against
terror and other transnational crime threats, effective tools are needed to
systematically expand the use of “soft power” to assist and develop
fledgling nations’ rule of law institutions. There is growing recognition of
the high correlation between effective criminal justice systems in
democratic nations and their ability to be reliable, long-term
international partners for peace, stability, and prosperity.
U.S. assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq has underpinned the need for a
whole of government paradigm to promote rule of law. The United States
Government (USG) now spends billions of dollars each year on rule of law
assistance programs. A fundamental and vital component of rule of law
development is instituting a