YOU DON'T ELIMINATE INJUSTICE BY IGNORING IT

• NCJ Number: 68718
• Journal: Human Rights Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 18-21,52-54
• Author(s): D BAZELON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: THIS ARTICLE WAS ADAPTED FROM A SPEECH DELIVERED AT AN ACTION WORKSHOP IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA (DECEMBER 1977) AND A SPEECH TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA (NOVEMBER 1977)

Annotation

IN THIS ARTICLE, A FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS THE WAY TO STOP STREET CRIME IS THROUGH SOCIAL CHANGE, NOT THROUGH REPRESSIVE CRIMINAL REFORM MEASURES.

Abstract

THE FAILURE OF CRIME CONTROL PROGRAMS TO GET AT THE CAUSES OF CRIME, SPECIFICALLY STREET CRIME, IS DEEMED MOST TERRIFYING FOR THE PUBLIC. TOUGH REFORM PROGRAMS AND UNIFORM AND MANDATORY SENTENCING, AIMED AT LOCKING UP DANGEROUS CRIMINALS IS WEIGHTED WITH CONTRADICTIONS. HOW IS 'DANGEROUS' DEFINED AND WHO DETERMINES THIS? WHEREAS THE WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL MAY BE DETERRED BY HARSHER SENTENCES, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE RANDOM MUGGER AND BURGLAR WILL BE CURBED BY THIS. ALSO, MANDATORY SENTENCES WILL PLACE A GREATER STRAIN ON AN ALREADY OVERCROWDED PRISON SYSTEM. STREET CRIME IS A POLITICAL PROBLEM AND MUST BE MET WITH SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH BROADER SERVICES PROVIDED TO THOSE POOR PEOPLE WHO SEEK HELP. EXAMPLES OF SUCH EFFORTS ARE MEDICAL PROGRAMS AT MT. SINAI HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK AND AT A DENVER, COLO. HOSPITAL. COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO TAKE OVER MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS WHEN FAMILY SITUATIONS DICTATES THIS. A REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH AND GUARANTEED MINIMUM INCOME FOR ALL FAMILIES WOULD ENABLE THE POOR TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENTS. THERE ARE NO REMEDIES FOR STREET CRIME EXCEPT SOCIAL REFORM AND TO PUT SOCIAL ORDER AHEAD OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IS REPRESSIVE.