NCJ Number
26967
Journal
Time Volume: 105 Issue: 27 Dated: (JUNE 30, 1975) Pages: 10-14,17-20,AND 22-24
Date Published
1975
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THREE-PART REPORT WHICH DESCRIBES THE RAPIDLY RISING CRIME RATES OF THE 1960'S AND 1970'S AND THE WAY AMERICANS ARE COPING WITH IT, EXPLORES THE CAUSES OF CRIME, AND DISCUSSES WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.
Abstract
THE SHARP RISE IN VIOLENT CRIMES COMMITTED BY TEENAGE YOUTH, HIGH RATES OF URBAN STREET CRIME, THE MIDDLE CLASS RUSH TO ARM THEMSELVES, AND THE FORMING OF NEIGHBORHOOD VIGILANTE GROUPS ARE IDENTIFIED AS IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE CURRENT AMERICAN CRIME WAVE, SEVERAL CRIME CAUSE THEORIES ARE ALSO EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE IDEA THAT THE POST-WORLD WAR TWO BABY BOON SWELLED THE TRADITIONAL CRIME-PRONE AGE BRACKET, FAULTY PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND A BREAKDOWN OF MORAL STANDARDS. SEVERAL REFORMS IN THE OPERATION OF THE LAWS, COURTS, AND POLICE ARE SUGGESTED. EXPLORED ARE THE POSSIBILITIES OF ALLOWING THE VICTIM AND THE OFFENDER TO BE IN ON PLEA BARGAINING SYSTEMS, OF INSTITUTING MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES, OF LETTING INMATES DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS, WITHOUT IMPOSING NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-PARTICIPATION, AND OF ABOLISHING LARGE JUVENILE PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN FAVOR OF SMALL GROUP OR FOSTER HOMES.