NCJ Number
63744
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS ESSAY DISCUSSES THE PROSTITUTE IN SOCIETY, PRESENT LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY, RELATED CRIME, AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES OF DECRIMINALIZATION AND LEGALIZATION.
Abstract
IT NOTES THAT, ALTHOUGH PRESENT ENFORCEMENT POLICIES TOWARD PROSTITUTION HAVE BEEN INEFFECTIVE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INSIST THAT PROSTITUTION REMAIN ILLEGAL SO THAT ASSOCIATED CRIME, INCLUDING LARCENY, ROBBERY, ASSAULT, DRUG ADDICTION, AND MURDER, CAN BE CONTROLLED. PRESENT LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY INCLUDES USE OF THE VICE SQUAD WHOSE METHODS MAY INCLUDE STREET SWEEPS (WHICH RESULT IN FEW CONVICTIONS), ARREST FOR SOLICITATION, AND THE HIRING OF CIVILIAN AGENTS. AMONG THE DISADVANTAGES IN THE PRESENT POLICY ARE THE HIGH POTENTIAL FOR CORRUPTION OF VICE OFFICERS, DIFFICULTIES IN PROSECUTION BECAUSE OF LACK OF EVIDENCE, LIMITED JAIL SPACE, AND LOW POTENTIAL FOR REHABILITATION. POLICY ALTERNATIVES WITHIN THE PRESENT CRIMINAL LAW FRAMEWORK INCLUDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO FACILITATE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, MAKING PROSTITUTION A CITABLE OFFENSE, AND ZONING AREAS IN WHICH PROSTITUTION CAN BE PRACTICED FREELY. NEW POLICY ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSED INCLUDE DECRIMINALIZATION AND LEGALIZATION. THE FORMER WOULD ALLOW GREATEST PERSONAL FREEDOM FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE. REGULATION WOULD BE IN A BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE, SOLICITATION CONTROLLED AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE ONLY IF CITIZENS COMPLAINED, AND ANCILLARY CRIME CONTROLLED BY THE ALLOCATION OF POLICE MANPOWER TO THOSE SPECIFIC CRIMES. LEGALIZATION BY THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE PROSTITUTES WORKING IN CONTROLLED HOUSES, WOULD ELIMINATE STREET SOLICITATION, AND WOULD REDUCE ANCILLARY CRIME. COMPREHENSIVE STUDY IS URGED BEFORE POLICY ALTERNATIVES ARE CHOSEN. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)