NCJ Number
116167
Date Published
1987
Length
222 pages
Annotation
Data from the Federal Republic of Germany and several other nations formed the basis of an analysis of trends in the rates of crime and imprisonment and the socioeconomic factors associated with these trends.
Abstract
The analyses used time series data and correlation and regression analyses to consider data from the early 1950's to the early 1980's from West Germany, as well as similar data from California, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Australia, Canada, and Austria. Both total crimes and specific types of crime were also analyzed. Results showed that the rates of imprisonment were relatively stable over time in many countries. In addition, most countries increased imprisonment in response to increases in the more serious crimes, such as robbery and aggravated assault. However, imprisonment did not increase in response to increases in less serious crimes, such as burglary and larceny. Some of the socioeconomic variables like unemployment and income also showed associations with specific types of crime. Results also provided no support for the views that imprisonment has either criminogenic or deterrent effects. Findings provided no specific guidance for policy. Figures, tables, discussion of models, notes, and 92 references.