NCJ Number
10608
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1973) Pages: 150-162
Date Published
1973
Length
13 pages
Annotation
ECONOMIC THEORY PREDICTING THAT PARTICIPATION IN CRIME VARIES DIRECTLY WITH NET BENEFITS AND INVERSELY WITH THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF LEGITIMATE OCCUPATIONS.
Abstract
THE BULK OF THIS ARTICLE CONSISTS OF EXCERPTS FROM A TAPED INTERVIEW WITH A FORMER STREET-GANG LEADER IN CHICAGO. THESE EXCERPTS ARE USED TO SUPPORT THE AUTHORS' CONTENTION THAT FINANCIAL REWARD IS THE UNIFYING MOTIVATION FOR ILLEGAL ACTS RANGING FROM BURGLARY TO ORGANIZED CRIME. PUNISHMENT DETERS CRIME AND THIS DETERRENT EFFECT IS INCREASED IF THE OFFENDER HAS FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DECREASED IF HE LEARNS CRIMINAL SKILLS IN PRISON. SOME PUBLIC POLICY SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)