NCJ Number
48824
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE INCREASING RECIDIVISM RATE AND THE NEED FOR A CURE TO THE PROBLEMS OF STREET CRIME HAVE LED ACADEMICIANS TO A GREAT DEAL OF DEBATE ON THE ISSUE OF SOCIAL REFORM AS A CURE FOR CRIME.
Abstract
THIS SPEECH BY JUDGE DAVID BAZELON ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF STREET CRIME. MANY PEOPLE ARE ALARMED ABOUT THE HIGH CRIME RATES, AND THERE IS A MOVEMENT TO TRY TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE CRIME AND ELIMINATE THEM. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY BECAUSE SOCIAL INJUSTICES TEND TO BREED CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK, AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO LOWER THE CRIME RATE. IF PRISONS ARE STRIPPED OF ALL NONESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND IF ALL UNSUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION METHODS ARE STOPPED, THE CRIME RATE WILL STILL NOT DECLINE. COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS IS PROBABLY THE BEST ALTERNATIVE, SINCE INCARCERATION TENDS TO ALIENATE OFFENDERS. IT IS ALSO THE MOST HUMANE HOPE IN DEALING WITH CRIME. SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE THE ISOLATION OF DANGEROUS OFFENDERS, A REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF PRISONS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANDATORY AND UNIFORM SENTENCING STANDARDS WITH AN APPELLATE COURT TO SUPERVISE THEM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE CRIME SURGE OF THE 1970'S IS CAUSED BY THE POSTWAR BABY BOOM. HOWEVER, IMPRISONING PEOPLE TO AVOID THE THREAT OF CRIME IS IMPRACTICAL AND WILL GREATLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS. OTHER METHODS WHICH MAY REDUCE CRIME ARE EQUALLY INAPPROPRIATE. THE PROBLEM OF STREET CRIME IS RELATED TO THE FAMILY STRUCTURE. A VIABLE FAMILY STRUCTURE IS CRUCIAL FOR SOCIAL INTEGRATION -- MOTHERS AND FATHERS MUST SPEND TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN. PARENTS WHO CANNOT PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY WILL BE UNABLE TO DISPLAY A GOOD IMAGE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW. IN CONCLUSION, JUDGE BAZELON SAYS THAT PRISON REFORM AND TOUGHER SENTENCING WILL NOT HELP. THE FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY ARE THE CAUSES OF CRIME AND DETERRENCE WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE. (BAC)