UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME - SOME RESEARCH AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

• NCJ Number: 64239
• Journal: Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 167-173
• Author(s): D BILES
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Acad of Forensic Sciences
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: READ AT THE PLENARY SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, JUNE 1, 1979

Annotation

THE CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME IS EXPLORED THROUGH A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT LITERATURE AND RECENT SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS; THE IMPACT ON POLICY AND DECISIONMAKING IN GOVERNMENT IS EMPHASIZED.

Abstract

INTEREST IN THE POSSIBLE CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME AND UNEMPLOYMENT HAS INCREASED DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC RECESSION AND THE RESULTANT HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. MANY FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, AND THE RELEVANCE OF PARTICULAR FACTORS MAY WELL VARY CONSIDERABLY FROM ONE SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC SITUATION TO ANOTHER. THE SIMPLISTIC SUGGESTION THAT UNEMPLOYMENT, IN ALL PLACES AND AT ALL TIMES, IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH CRIME RATES IS LIKELY TO BE ERRONEOUS. STUDIES FROM MANY COUNTRIES SHOWING THAT UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ARE MORE LIKELY THAN EMPLOYED PERSONS TO COMMIT CRIMINAL OFFENSES HAVE FAILED TO PROVE CONSISTENTLY THAT HIGH RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH OR INCREASED LEVELS OF CRIME. ONE RESEARCHER SUGGESTS THAT IT IS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INDIVIDUAL OFFENDERS WHICH CAUSED THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT RATHER THAN THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT CAUSING THEIR CRIMINALITY. IN ADDITION, THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT SUCH AS LOSS OF MOTIVATION, DECLINE IN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND DECREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE MAY BE MORE HARMFUL THAN THE CRIME IT MAY INDUCE. POLICY OPTIONS OF INCREASED PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO CREATE JOBS, SHORTER WORKING HOURS, AND INCREASED TAXATION MUST BE CONSIDERED DESPITE LACK OF CONCLUSIVE PROOF OF THE CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME AND UNEMPLOYMENT. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE. (LWM)