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YOU DON'T ELIMINATE INJUSTICE BY IGNORING IT

NCJ Number
68718
Journal
Human Rights Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 18-21,52-54
Author(s)
D BAZELON
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
IN THIS ARTICLE, A FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS THE WAY TO STOP STREET CRIME IS THROUGH SOCIAL CHANGE, NOT THROUGH REPRESSIVE CRIMINAL REFORM MEASURES.
Abstract
THE FAILURE OF CRIME CONTROL PROGRAMS TO GET AT THE CAUSES OF CRIME, SPECIFICALLY STREET CRIME, IS DEEMED MOST TERRIFYING FOR THE PUBLIC. TOUGH REFORM PROGRAMS AND UNIFORM AND MANDATORY SENTENCING, AIMED AT LOCKING UP DANGEROUS CRIMINALS IS WEIGHTED WITH CONTRADICTIONS. HOW IS 'DANGEROUS' DEFINED AND WHO DETERMINES THIS? WHEREAS THE WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL MAY BE DETERRED BY HARSHER SENTENCES, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE RANDOM MUGGER AND BURGLAR WILL BE CURBED BY THIS. ALSO, MANDATORY SENTENCES WILL PLACE A GREATER STRAIN ON AN ALREADY OVERCROWDED PRISON SYSTEM. STREET CRIME IS A POLITICAL PROBLEM AND MUST BE MET WITH SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH BROADER SERVICES PROVIDED TO THOSE POOR PEOPLE WHO SEEK HELP. EXAMPLES OF SUCH EFFORTS ARE MEDICAL PROGRAMS AT MT. SINAI HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK AND AT A DENVER, COLO. HOSPITAL. COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO TAKE OVER MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS WHEN FAMILY SITUATIONS DICTATES THIS. A REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH AND GUARANTEED MINIMUM INCOME FOR ALL FAMILIES WOULD ENABLE THE POOR TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENTS. THERE ARE NO REMEDIES FOR STREET CRIME EXCEPT SOCIAL REFORM AND TO PUT SOCIAL ORDER AHEAD OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IS REPRESSIVE.