NCJ Number
72809
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The appropriate goals for a white-collar crime containment strategy, and the role of evaluation and consensus building programs in strategy development are addressed.
Abstract
Development of a national strategy requires some initial agreement on what the goals of the effort should be. However, the objective of containing white-collar crime may conflict with other important and legitimate social goals (e.g. limiting fraud by ineligible recipients of student loans may conflict with getting money to needy students). In addition, white-collar crime encompasses a variety of offenses, the containment of which may be of varying importance to different groups. Therefore, goals should reflect compromise between competing needs. One proposed element of the strategy is built-in evaluation mechanisms for demonstration programs which may help broaden support and pinpoint problems. Another element is the improvement of white-collar crime detection by placing investigative accountants in institutions and providing strong incentives for them. Also, programs are needed to build consensus among victimized organizations and individuals, those involved in the containment of the crime, and the public. The strategy should be developed by (1) sponsors (e.g. Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, and private groups) who would insure legitimacy and visibility of the effort; (2) a senior circle (e.g. representatives from all levels of the criminal justice system and from the victimized organizations) who would give the project direction, and monitor research and analysis, etc.; and (3) staff (professionals and research assistants) who would sustain the effort on a full-time basis.