Carter says he considers "criminal justice" one of the most fruitful areas "for immediate action" in his administration.
He asked two Georgia Superior Court judges to take over as head of the Corrections Department. Both said no.
"I think my strong feelings about this (corrections) as governor will help to incline more people to participate in this, which I consider a great challenge in state government."
To gain more interest in serving the state by working in the "dirty" field of criminal justice, Carter says he wants to raise the image of the Corrections and Pardons and Paroles Board membership nearly to the status of judgeships.
"We cannot educate a child, build a highway, equalize tax burdens, create harmony among people, or preserve basic human freedom unless we have an orderly society. Crime and lack of justice are especially cruel to those who are least able to protect themselves. Swift arrest and trial and fair punishment should be expected by those who would break our laws. It is equally important to us that every effort be made to rehabilitate law breakers into useful and productive members of society.
"As I have said many times, I do not intend to see our campuses disrupted and I will enforce the law."
Governor Jimmy Carter said he agrees with the Supreme Court decision upholding jury-imposed death penalties.
Although he said he would be "personally reluctant to impose the death penalty," the governor said threat of execution may serve as "a restraining influence" in many instances.
"I do not believe at this time society can afford the use of the death penalty. I do believe that this is a deterrent, especially in certain cases such as in the murder of a prison guard by someone already under life sentence."
"I am not convinced that the Veterans Administration alone should be expected to be able of mounting the many types of programs required to treat heroin addiction among returning servicemen."
