NCJ Number
54804
Date Published
1976
Length
156 pages
Annotation
THIS BACKGROUND VOLUME CONTAINS AN EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON PUNISHMENT AS A DETERRENT AND A STUDY CONDUCTED ON THIS SUBJECT IN ONTARIO. BOTH FIND THAT PUNISHMENT IS ONLY WEAKLY RELATED TO DETERRENCE.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTION REVIEWING THE WORK OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF CANADA AND ITS EFFORTS TO EVALUATE PUNISHMENT AS A DETERRENT TO FUTURE CRIME IS FOLLOWED BY THE PRESENTATION OF TWO PAPERS. THE FIRST, TITLED 'DETERRENCE: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE,' IS A THREE-CHAPTER NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF RESEARCH STUDIES, THEORETICAL PAPERS, AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCES RECORDED IN CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, ENGLAND, AND EUROPE. (SEE NCJ 41427.) THIS REVIEW FINDS THAT THE CONCEPT OF DETERRENCE IS COMMON IN THE LITERATURE BUT THAT EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE VALIDITY OF THIS IDEA. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT AMONG DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS IS REVIEWED. REVIEWS OF ACTUAL EXPERIENCE FIND THAT IN SOME AREAS INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES INDEED REDUCE SUCH CRIMES AS DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED. IN OTHER AREAS IT DOES NOT. POLICE STRIKES HAVE GENERALLY BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY OUTBREAKS OF LAWLESSNESS. HOWEVER, LENGTH OF PRISON TERMS HAS LITTLE RELATIONSHIP TO RECIDIVISM. THE OTHER STUDY, 'DETERRENT EFFECTS OF PUNISHMENT FOR BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFT,' SURVEYS A GROUP OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA. (SEE NCJ 41428.) THIS STUDY FINDS THAT FEAR OF PUNISHMENT IS ONLY WEAKLY RELATED TO DETERRENCE. THE LITERATURE REVIEW CONTAINS AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY. THE STUDY HAS APPENDED REFERENCES. (GLR)