NCJ Number
45490
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
CORRECTIONAL REFORMS, EMPLOYEE CRIME, AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY FACTORS ARE DISCUSSED WITH A VIEW TOWARD ADVANCING THE NATIONAL CRIME CONTROL EFFORT.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE LONG-RANGE SOLUTION TO THE CRIME PROBLEM LIES WITH THE AMELIORATION OF SOCIAL CONDITIONS THAT FOSTER CRIME, IMMEDIATE STEPS TO UPGRADE AND RESHAPE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN HELP IN THE SHORT RUN. THE GROWING TREND TOWARD 'GET-TOUGH' CORRECTIONAL POLICIES IS REFLECTED IN THE DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW JAILS AND PRISONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. EXTENSIVE NEW CONSTRUCTION IS NOT ADVISABLE, BECAUSE INCREASED INCARCERATION DOES NOT MEAN LESS CRIME, AND BECAUSE, WERE IT USED MORE EFFECTIVELY, EXISTING PRISON SPACE WOULD BE ADEQUATE. FUNDS PROPOSED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF PRISONS AND JAILS WOULD BE BETTER USED IN PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED IN PRISON POPULATIONS. AN AREA OF CRIME OFTEN IGNORED BY THE PUBLIC IS WORKPLACE CRIME -- CRIME COMMITTED BY MEN AND WOMEN AT THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. SUCH CRIMES RESULT IN AN ESTIMATED $40-BILLION LOSS ANNUALLY, A LOSS THAT IS PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE INFORMED ABOUT THE WORKPLACE CRIME PROBLEM, AND REGULATORY AGENCIES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. INDUSTRY GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTING WORKPLACE CRIME AND FOR DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES WHO COMMIT SUCH CRIMES ARE NEEDED. THE RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE CRIME HAS BEEN ONE OF FRIGHT AND RAGE, AND FROM THESE EMOTIONS HAVE EMERGED DEMANDS FOR STERN MEASURES. ONLY A SMALL MINORITY OF JUVENILES COMMIT SERIOUS CRIMES AND REQUIRE CONFINEMENT. STUDIES INDICATE LINKAGES BETWEEN VIOLENCE IN CHILDREN AND SUCH THINGS AS LEARNING PROBLEMS AND SOCIAL DISADVANTAGES. AGAIN, IT WOULD APPEAR TO MAKE BETTER SENSE TO DEVOTE RESOURCES TO ADDRESSING THE CAUSES OF DELINQUENCY THAN TO FOCUS ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DELINQUENTS. (LKM)