NCJ Number
58801
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SAFER COMMUNITIES CAN BE BUILT THROUGH THE USE OF RESTITUTION INSTEAD OF IMPRISONMENT AND THROUGH THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES.
Abstract
THE AUDIOCASSETTE AND FILMSTRIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND CITIZENS INDICATES THAT CRIME IS A LOCAL PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A NATIONAL OR STATEWIDE SCOPE. LOCAL AND COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO CRIME CAN BE EFFECTIVE AS CITIZENS BECOME AWARE OF THE CAUSES AND PROPER CURES FOR CRIME. THE 'WAR ON CRIME' APPROACH TO JUSTICE, AS PROMULGATED BY POLITICIANS AND THE POLICE, HAS NOT REDUCED THE CRIME RATE AND MAY BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. VICTIMIZATION SURVEYS INDICATE THAT CRIME RATES ARE GENERALLY CONSTANT, AND THAT APPARENT CRIME WAVES ONLY REFLECT FLUCTUATIONS IN THE REPORTING OF CRIME. CRIME PUBLICITY HAS RESULTED IN STIFFER PUNISHMENTS WHICH HAVE LED TO THE OVERCROWDING OF PRISON OPERATIONS. THE COST OF OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR PRISON OPERATIONS. THE COST OF MAINTAINING A SINGLE PRISONER IS ESTIMATED TO BE $26,000 PER YEAR, WITH INDIRECT COSTS SUCH AS FAMILY WELFARE SUPPORT DOUBLING THE TOTAL COSTS. IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO PLACE INMATES IN LUXURY HOTELS THAN IN CITY JAILS. CRIME IS LINKED TO THE UNJUST DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL RESOURCE AND THE INCORRECT SOCIALIZATION AND CARE OF HUMAN BEINGS. ALTHOUGH WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES MAY COST SOCIETY TEN TIMES AS MUCH AS STREET CRIMES, THE FORMER ARE LARGERLY DISREGARDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. RESTITUTION, DECRIMINALIZATION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, FAMILY COUNSELING, AND NEIGHBORHOOD COUNSELING CENTERS ARE VIABLE ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CRIME CONTROL AND JUSTICE. (TWK)