NCJ Number
9825
Date Published
1968
Length
71 pages
Annotation
EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES IN THE DETERRENCE AND CONTROL OF CRIME, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF CORRECTION.
Abstract
TO STUDY THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF INCREASING PENALTIES FOR VARIOUS CRIMES, THE EXTENT OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SPECIFIC PENALTIES WAS EXAMINED. ALSO REVIEWED WAS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CALIFORNIA LAWS AND PROGRAMS FOR ADULT OFFENDERS. THE STUDY INDICATES THE PUBLIC HAS LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF PENALTIES, AND AS OF 1966, THERE HAVE BEEN NO VISIBLE DETERRENT EFFECTS OF RECENTLY INCREASED PENALTIES, OR VISIBLE DETERRENT EFFECTS OF REGIONAL VARIATION IN THE SEVERITY OF PENALTIES. THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THE AMOUNT OF TIME SERVED HAS NO MEASURABLE EFFECT UPON CRIME AMONG RELEASED CONVICTS, AND THAT TIME CAN BE REDUCED WITHOUT INCREASING RECIDIVISM. ALSO POINTED OUT IS THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS DOCUMENT RECOMMENDS THE NEED FOR A RATIONAL PAROLE POLICY, THE TRANSFER OF SAVINGS FROM STATE CORRECTIONS TO PAROLE SUPERVISION, AND THE CANCELLATION OF FURTHER CAPITAL OUTLAY FOR LARGE PRISONS. OTHER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE CLOSING SAN QUENTIN SUBSIDIZING LOCAL CUSTODY AND LOCAL REHABILITATIVE FACILITIES, AND REQUIRING CITIZENS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MECHANICAL DETERRENTS. ALSO INCLUDED ARE CRIME AND CRIMINAL STATISTICS, MODEL LEGISLATION, AND A RESEARCH PROPOSAL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)