NCJ Number
59391
Journal
Human Services in the Rural Environment Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 1-5
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
ALTHOUGH THERE CONTINUES TO BE MORE CRIME AND A HIGHER RATE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN THE CITIES, THE GROWTH OF CRIME IS SHOWN TO BE GREATER IN THE NONMETROPOLITAN SECTIONS, IN THIS ARTICLE ON CRIME AND RURAL AMERICA.
Abstract
THE FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS FOR 1976, COMPARING ARREST RATES FOR CITIES, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL AREAS FROM 1972 ON SHOW A FAIRLY CONSTANT URBAN RATE, AN ERRATIC SUBURBAN RATE WITH AN OVERALL MODEST INCREASE, AND A MARKED AND STEADY INCREASE IN THE RURAL RATE EXCEPT FOR 1975 AND 1976. SIMILARLY, IN 1974, RURAL JUVENILE COURT CASES INCREASED BY 15 PERCENT IN CONTRAST TO AN 11-PERCENT INCREASE IN URBAN COURT CASES AND A 3-PERCENT INCREASE IN SUBURBAN. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE STRENGHTENING RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TEAMING SOCIAL WORKERS WITH POLICE PERSONNEL IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SUBSYSTEM; PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS FOR THE JUVENILE OFFENDER WITHIN THE JUDICIAL SUBSYSTEM (DIVERSION); AND USING FEWER JAILS AND MORE MULTICOUNTY REGIONAL DETENTION FACILITIES, FOSTER CARE, AND GROUP SHELTER CARE HOMES IN CORRECTIONS. DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION OF OFFENDERS, GROUP HOMES AND CAREER PROGRAMS, AND IN-HOME OR FAMILY-BASED CARE WITH INTENSIVE SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED IN RURAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.