NCJ Number
100206
Date Published
1985
Length
326 pages
Annotation
This volume challenges both conservative and liberal views regarding the causes and solutions relating to crime in the United States and argues that the way to deal with crime is to provide family support programs, targeted jobs creation, and planning for community economic development.
Abstract
Conservative arguments that the permissiveness of the American culture and the weakness of the courts are the source of the crime problem are refuted using evidence that the tougher legislation of the last decade has resulted in the highest rates of imprisonment and levels of violence in the Western World. Liberal analyses of the social sources of criminal violence are examined and found to have failed to produce workable programs for preventing crime. Using comparisons with nations that have been more successful in preventing crime, this analysis focuses on social and economic sources of the crime problem. The discussion centers on three issues: unemployment, economic and racial inequality, and family and community disruption. Recommendations for the criminal justice system emphasize the needs to respond more strongly to domestic violence, to use more foot patrol and hiring of youth for auxiliary police work, and to use sanctions such as intensive probation and community service. Eleven other categories of efforts that would strengthen families and communities, provide employment and other economic opportunities, and improve dispute resolution are also recommended. Two-hundred seventy-seven reference notes and an index are included. (Publisher summary modified)