STREET CRIME AND CORRECTIONAL POTHOLES

• NCJ Number: 41666
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 41 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1977) Pages: 3-9
• Author(s): D L BAZELON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CHIEF JUDGE DAVID L. BAZELON OF THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. MAINTAINS IN THIS ARTICLE THAT THE IDEAL OF REHABILITATION SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN SOLD ON THE PROMISE THAT IT WOULD REDUCE CRIME.

Abstract

HE ARGUES THAT RECIDIVISM RATES CANNOT BE THE ONLY MEASURE OF WHAT IS VALUABLE IN CORRECTIONS; SIMPLE DECENCY MUST COUNT TOO. HE ALSO CONSIDERS IMPRACTICAL ARGUMENTS FOR TOUGHER SENTENCING, POINTING OUT THAT MOST STATE SYSTEMS ARE ALREADY OVERCROWDED, WITH MANY OPERATING AT 130 PERCENT OR MORE OF CAPACITY. JUDGE BAZELON CONCLUDES BY ASSERTING THAT IN THE GROWING DEBATE ABOUT CORRECTIONS, WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF OLD TRUTHS AND OLD PRIORITIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...MSP