SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LAW OF VAGRANCY (FROM CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, A READER, 1970 BY CARL A BERSANI - SEE NCJ-006248)

• NCJ Number: 10188
• Author(s): W J CHAMBLISS
• Date Published: 1964
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: Macmillan
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM SOCIAL PROBLEMS, V 12, N 1 (FALL 1964), P 67-77

Annotation

THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF VAGRANCY LAWS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE U.S. FOCUSES ON THE DIFFERENT SOCIAL PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE LAWS WERE USED.

Abstract

VAGRANCY STATUTES UNDERWENT SEVERAL SHIFTS IN CONCERN AS SOCIAL SETTINGS CHANGED. IN GREAT BRITAIN THE STATUTES WERE FIRST USED TO PREVENT THE FLIGHT OF LABORERS AND TO INSURE THE LANDOWNER AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LABOR AT A LOW WAGE. VAGRANCY STATUTES WERE LATER UTILIZED AS A MEANS OF PUNISHISHING HIGHWAYMEN WHO PREYED ON DOMESTIC COMMERCE. IN THE U.S., VAGRANCY STATUTES WERE APPLIED DURING THE DEPRESSION TO RESTRICT THE MOVEMENTS OF IMPOVERISHED MIGRANTS. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF VAGRANCY LAWS TODAY IS CLEARLY NO LONGER THE CONTROL OF LABORERS BUT RATHER THE CONTROL OF THE UNDESIRABLE, THE CRIMINAL, AND THE 'NUISANCE'.