NCJ Number
56177
Date Published
1978
Length
276 pages
Annotation
TAKING A PANORAMIC VIEW OF CRIME IN AMERICA, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON VIOLENCE, THIS BOOK COMBINES FACTUAL DATA WITH THEORETICAL ANALYSIS TO ARRIVE AT PRACTICAL LONG-AND SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS.
Abstract
ARGUING THAT THE LARGE NUMBER OF 15-TO 24-YEAR OLDS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE BABY BOOM AND THE EXPANDING PRODUCTIVITY AND ABUNDANCE OF GOODS BROUGHT ON BY INCREASED URBANIZATION ARE AT THE ROOT OF RISING CRIME, THIS VOLUME EXAMINES THE THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF VIOLENT CRIME, ITS FACILITATORS, AND THE FUNCTION AND EFFECT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. THE SCOPE OF JUVENILE AND YOUTH DELINQUENCY IS DEBATED, ALONG WITH THE NATURE OF VIOLENCE AND THE SOCIOPSYCHOLOGICAL ORIENTATION OF THE CRIMINAL MIND. THE IMPACT OF WIDESPREAD AVAILABILITY OF GUNS IS ACKNOWLEDGED, ALONG WITH THE OVERT AND SUBLIMINAL ROLES OF DRUGS AND TELEVISION IN CREATING A CRIME-RIDDEN SOCIETY. IN ADDITION TO THE REDUCTION OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD FOLLOW FROM RATIONAL APPROACHES TO GUN CONTROL, DRUG TREATMENT, AND MEDIA RESTRAINT, THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED AS A FURTHER AREA WHERE RADICAL IMPROVEMENTS WILL REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME. FINALLY, FOLLOWING A HISTORICAL VIEW OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA, THE USE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS OUTLINED, WITH ATTENTION TO ITS EARLY APPLICATIONS, ARGUMENTS OVER ITS DETERRENT EFFECT, AND VARIOUS COURT DECISIONS OUTLAWING AND APPROVING EXECUTIONS. REFERENCE NOTES, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)