NCJ Number
79154
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1981) Pages: 73-83
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the efficacy of rehabilitative treatment and of punishment as deterrence.
Abstract
A review of the criminal justice literature and of the empirical studies of econometrics indicates that treatment, despite commitment of large expenditures of effort and resources, has largely been ineffective. Conversely, many economists and sociologists who have applied econometric analysis of the study of criminal behavior conclude that punishment does deter. Remaining questions concern the extent to which punishment has an effect upon future criminal activities and what particular criminal sanctions ought to be applied. The economic perspective has attempted to impart a realistic view of crime as rational behavior and, in doing so, has suggested concepts and tools which can identify and predict the effects of public policies on the production of justice. However, the article concludes that deterrence need not be inhumane; penal sentences can be made comparable by converting them into their monetary equivalent or worth. Basically, the criminal justice system must produce justice as efficiently as possible given the scare resources with which to operate. A total of 34 references are supplied. (Author summary modified)