NCJ Number
87219
Editor(s)
L Leiberg
Date Published
1982
Length
155 pages
Annotation
The nine papers in this volume address linkages between unemployment and crime, with attention to employment problems faced by ex-offenders and youths, job training and placement programs, and prison education.
Abstract
A U.S. congressman argues that crime is a product of economic decay, made worse by the current administration's philosophy of reduced Federal aid and increased punitive sanctions. Two papers on ex-offender employment argue that existing programs have failed to address the effects of a criminal record and racial discrimination in the labor market on ex-offenders' employment opportunities. Wage subsidies are an inexpensive and politically viable short-term remedy. An examination of theory and research regarding the unemployment-crime relationship emphasizes that existing knowledge is not being used in designing employment programs and suggests that nontraditional programs (involving the private sector) will be more effective. A director of manpower programs for offenders and ex-offenders argues that job assistance programs should humanize their services and provide more followup support and private input. Another article contends that youth unemployment and delinquency result primarily from juveniles' alienation from the adult world and from school, as well as their lack of experience in formal democratic groups. Improvements in employment programs should help bridge the sociological gaps. Other perspectives on youth unemployment include an evaluation of the armed services' role in providing jobs and training and a description of youth services programs in San Mateo County, Calif. Actions Federal and State agencies should take to improve correctional education are outlined. Most papers contain references. For individual articles, see NCJ-87220-26.