NCJ Number
28897
Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND PENOLOGY Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1975) Pages: 295-305
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF DATA REVEALING EXISTENCE OF SYNDICATED CRIME IN GREAT BRITAIN WHICH IN SCALE RESEMBLES THAT FOUND IN THE VARIOUS CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR DELINEATES CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS WHICH DISTINGUISH SYNDICATED CRIME FROM OTHER FORMS OF ORGANISED CRIMINALITY. THESE CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: THE STRUCTURING OF A GROUP OR ORGANISATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS THAT OF PROVIDING ILLICIT GOODS AND SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS, THE USE WHERE NECESSARY OF FORCE, INTIMIDATION OR THREATS OF SUCH, AND THE OBTAINING OF THE PROTECTION OF THE LEGAL STRUCTURE TO ENSURE ITS CONTINUING OPERATION THROUGH IMMUNITY FROM THE LAW. THE AUTHOR ASSERTS THAT THE ABSENCE IN BRITAIN OF SYNDICATED CRIME ON THE AMERICAN SCALE IS DUE PRIMARILY TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: THE PRACTICE OF MAKING LEGALLY AVAILABLE MOST GOODS AND SERVICES DESIRED BY THE PUBLIC. HERE WE REFER TO SUCH SERVICES AS GAMBLING AND THE AVAILABILITY OF NARCOTIC DRUGS THROUGH MEDICAL AGENCIES; THE PRACTICE OF PASSING LEGISLATION WHICH IS ENFORCEABLE AS COMPARED TO THE FREQUENT PRACTICE IN AMERICA OF PASSING LEGISLATION WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE; AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE COURT SYSTEM WHOSE PERSONNEL ARE SELECTED AND PROMOTED ON CIVIL SERVICE CRITERIA AS COMPARED TO THE SYSTEM OF ELECTING JUDGES, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND A VARIETY OF OTHER FUNCTIONARIES OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN AMERICA. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)