CRIME DETERRENCE RESEARCH AND SOCIAL POLICY (FROM MODELING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, 1977 BY S S NAGELSEE NCJ-43252)

• NCJ Number: 43269
• Author(s): D F GREENBERG
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

METHODOLOGY FOR SEVERAL RECENT STUDIES OF A NEGATIVE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IS CRITICIZED, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR FURTHER RESEARCH.

Abstract

A NUMBER OF STUDIES ON THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF SWIFT AND CERTAIN PUNISHMENT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. MOST OF THESE HAVE BEEN BASED ON POLICE DATA OR INACCURATE CRIME RATES. ONLY FOR HOMICIDE AND AUTO THEFT ARE OFFICIAL CRIME RATES BELIEVED TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE REFLECTION OF VICTIMIZATION. OTHER FELONIES ARE CONSISTENTLY UNDERREPORTED AND ERRORS ALSO EXIST IN OFFICIAL ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT DATA. ALSO, MOST OF THESE STUDIES UTILIZE LITTLE OR NO CONTROL OF OTHER CONTRIBUTING VARIABLES. THESE STUDIES ALSO HAVE NOT TAKEN THE EFFECTS OF PLEA BARGAINING INTO ACCOUNT NOR HAVE THEY CORRECTED FOR THE AGGREGATION BIAS WHICH OCCURS IN GROUPINGS OF CITIES. EVEN IF VALID RESEARCH SHOULD SHOW THAT PUNISHMENT HAS A DETERRENT EFFECT ON CRIME, THE ABILITY OF LOCAL POLICE AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE THIS DETERRENT EFFECT IS SEVERELY HAMPERED BY BUDGET CUTS AND LACK OF INFUSIONS OF FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES. POLITICAL REFUSAL TO ENGAGE IN DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH OR OTHER SCHEMES MEANS THE POTENTIAL FOR CRIME WILL STILL EXIST. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.