NCJ Number
132779
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1991) Pages: 436-448
Date Published
1991
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This 8-point comprehensive plan to reduce crime focuses on investments in the institutions of social reproduction which have been undermined in the past decade. The objectives are to increase productive capacity and aggregate demand in the economy as well as to draw young people toward social processes that encourage participation in legitimate activities and away from those that foster criminal involvement.
Abstract
The proposal calls for the redirection of national priorities and resources to create an educational-industrial complex. The first step involves emergency measures including the reinstitution of job training and placement programs, income subsidies for poor families, and public investment in job programs. A nationwide parent-effectiveness program would teach parents how to discipline children in a noncoercive and consistent manner. Combined with effective parenting, a universal "Head Start" preschool program would provide children with the early cognitive and emotional basis for academic success. Radical expansion and improvement of the public school system is the next step in this comprehensive strategy. Young people should have the option of participating in a national service program; they would be awarded educational and vocational training stipends upon completion of a 2-year stint. Another component of the strategy is the improvement of adult workplace environments. Programs for economic growth and expanded production must accompany the enhancement of human capital. Finally, a progressive income tax system would stimulate economic growth which, combined with these human development and education programs, would have an ameliorating effect on crime. 18 references (Author abstract modified)