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Crime

NCJ Number
175385
Editor(s)
P A Winters
Date Published
1998
Length
144 pages
Annotation
These 27 articles and editorials from recent periodicals present diverse opinions on crime causes, whether crime is increasing, whether stronger criminal justice actions can prevent crime, and how juvenile delinquency can be prevented.
Abstract
Individual papers on crime causes argue that social factors, economic factors, social decay, genetic factors, or a lack of morals causes crime and that a lack of religion does not cause crime. Six papers present contrasting opinions on whether crime is increasing; they argue that overall crime is increasing, that crime is decreasing, that violent crime is increasing, that violent crime is not increasing, that the increasing fear of crime is justified, that the increasing fear of crime is not justified, and that the media has exaggerated the extent of crime. Additional papers argue that tougher laws, imprisonment, three-strikes laws, and community policing strategies can prevent crime. Further papers assert that tougher laws will not prevent crime, that rehabilitation programs are superior to lengthy prison stays for preventing crime, and that three-strikes laws are unjust, more costly, and less effective than other approaches to crime prevention. The final section presents papers that support tough punishments, both prevention programs and punishment, or violence prevention programs can prevent juvenile delinquency. The final two papers argue that harsh punishments for juveniles are not justified and that prevention efforts should be aimed at adult violence, the increase in which probably stems from the rise in adult drug abuse. Tables, index, list of organizations to contact, and 40 references