NCJ Number
61945
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
IMPROVED OFFENDER REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, GUN CONTROL, DECRIMINALIZATION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, AND COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION ARE AMONG THE SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH RISING CRIME.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH A PLEA FOR MORE SEVERE SANCTIONS AGAINST OFFENDERS IS UNDERSTANDABLE COMING FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OR FEAR THEY WILL BE VICTIMIZED, THIS IS NOT A RATIONAL STRATEGY FOR REDUCING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. LONGER PRISON SENTENCES ONLY EXPOSE OFFENDERS TO INFLUENCES LIKELY TO REINFORCE CRIMINAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR, WHILE PUNITIVE PRISON CONDITIONS ONLY FUEL DISPOSITIONS FOR VIOLENCE. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT CERTAINLY PREVENTS THE OFFENDER FROM REPEATING A HEINOUS CRIME, BUT IT CAN ALSO KILL THOSE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED; AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE THREAT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT REDUCES THE RATE OF THOSE OFFENSES FOR WHICH IT IS PRESCRIBED. THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF INMATES AND PROGRAMS CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED TO DEAL WITH INMATES' NEEDS AND PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT DEVELOP EMPLOYABLE SKILLS, ARE NEEDED IF RECIDIVISM IS TO BE REDUCED. A PROLIFERATION OF HANDGUN POSSESSION ONLY INTENSIFIES THE DANGER OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, ACCIDENTAL KILLINGS, AND MAIMING. HOWEVER, THE CONTROLLED USE OF HANDGUNS DOES EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THE HOMICIDE RATE. FINALLY, THE VICTIMLESS CRIMES, SUCH AS DRUNKENNESS, GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION, AND DRUG USE SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED TO OPEN THE WAY FOR USING LIMITED POLICE RESOURCES TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH SERIOUS CRIME. (RCB)