NCJ Number
37929
Date Published
1975
Length
59 pages
Annotation
ARGUING THAT A GENERAL CONCLUSION THAT DETERRENCE IS AN EFFECTIVE FORCE IN REDUCING CRIME IS PREMATURE, THE AUTHOR EXAMINES AND SUMMARIZES THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE ON DETERRENCE AND EXPLORES THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE EVIDENCE.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR FIRST SUMMARIZES THE TYPES OF CRIMES AND SANCTIONS ANALYZED IN DETERRENCE STUDIES AND REVIEWS THE DATA AND STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES USED. LIMITATIONS IN THE STUDIES ARE THEN EXAMINED, INCLUDING LIMITATIONS IN THE DATA ON CRIMES AND SANCTIONS; THE UNRELIABILITY OF POLICE RECORDS ON ARRESTS AND CLEARANCE RATES; THE UNCONTROLLED EFFECTS THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTICES SUCH AS PLEA BARGAINING MAY HAVE ON CRIME STATISTICS; AND THE CONFUSION OF THE EFFECTS OF DETERRENCE WITH THE EFFECTS OF INCAPACITATION THROUGH IMPRISONMENT. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT POLICY SUGGESTIONS ON DETERRENCE CAN ONLY BE MADE WITH EXTREME CAUTION, SINCE THE EXISTING EVIDENCE HAS NOT YET CONFIRMED THE EFFECT OF DETERRENCE.