NCJ Number
44263
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY DISCUSSES THE CAUSATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME.
Abstract
RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS SHOWS THAT, OF ALL VARIABLES EXAMINED, UNEMPLOYMENT RELATES MOST POSITIVELY TO FEDERAL PRISON POPULATION. A NATIONWIDE SURVEY FOUND A STRONG POSITIVE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF A STATE AND ITS CRIME RATE. OTHER STUDIES FOUND THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR EX-OFFENDERS IS THREE TIMES AS HIGH AS THAT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND THAT PAROLEES WHO ARE ABLE TO FIND JOBS ARE LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIMES THAN THOSE WHO CANNOT FIND JOBS. STUDIES IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND CANADA ALSO SUGGEST A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME. THE NATION IS URGED TO CONCENTRATE ITS RESOURCES ON THE CAUSES OF CRIME, PARTICULARLY ON UNEMPLOYMENT, RATHER THAN ON EXPANSION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ACTUALLY DEALS WITH ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW. ALTHOUGH IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SYSTEM ARE CALLED FOR, THEY WILL HAVE A LIMITED EFFECT ON THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME. THE ROOTS OF CRIME ARE TO BE FOUND IN THE NATION'S MOST BASIC SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. THE GOVERNMENT IS URGED TO TAKE ALL POSSIBLE STEPS TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY SO THAT JOBS FOR THE UNEMPLOYED, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG UNEMPLOYED, WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. IN RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS BY SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE AUTHOR COMMENTS ON SUCH MATTERS AS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, INCARCERATION AND DETERRENCE, TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS, AND STATE-TO-STATE VARIANCES IN PRISON POPULATIONS AND LEVELS OF POVERTY.