NCJ Number
51259
Date Published
1974
Length
20 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON PUNISHMENT OF VIOLENT CRIMES IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, ARE PRESENTED BY A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE QUEENSLAND LEGISLATURE TO DETERMINE ADEQUACY OF CURRENT PUNISHMENTS.
Abstract
THE COMMITTEE CONDUCTED ITS INVESTIGATION VIA 12 DAYS OF HEARINGS, VISITS TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, DISCUSSIONS WITH POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, AND ANALYSIS OF DOCUMENTS. ALTHOUGH ALL SOURCES CONSULTED AGREED ON THE GROWING INCIDENCE OF VIOLENT CRIME, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNGER OFFENDERS, AND ON THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, THEY DISAGREED WIDELY ON RECOMMENDED APPROACHES TO SUCH ISSUES AS PREVENTION, THE PURPOSE OF PUNISHMENT, SENTENCING, PAROLE, REPARATIONS, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AND RAPE. AMONG THE COMMITTEE'S 43 RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THAT (1) PENALTIES BE MADE HARSHER FOR PEOPLE PROMOTING OR PROVIDING DRUGS, (2) THE POLICE FORCE BE ENLARGED AND BETTER EQUIPPED, (3) ALL EXCEPT HIGH RISK PRISON INMATES BE GIVEN USEFUL WORK AS OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, (4) EFFORTS TO PREVENT JUVENILE CRIME BEGIN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND (5) CAPITAL PUNISHMENT NOT BE INTRODUCED. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERN SENTENCES, PAROLE, PREVENTION OF CRIME, PUNISHMENT, REPARATIONS, AND RAPE. APPENDIXES PRESENT DISSENTING OPINIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS, LISTS OF PERSONS OR ORGANIZATIONS TESTIFYING ORALLY OR IN WRITING TO THE COMMITTEE, AND A CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS. (CFW)