NCJ Number
18672
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 528-535
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
USING DATA FROM A 1972 STUDY OF DELINQUENCY IN A PHILADELPHIA BIRTH COHORT, THIS STUDY EXPLORES TO WHAT EXTENT INCARCERATION PREVENTS CRIMINAL ACTS WHICH MAY HAVE OCCURED BUT FOR THE IMPRISONMENT OF THE OFFENDER.
Abstract
MORE SPECIFICALLY, THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES ON THE REMOVAL OR INCAPACITATION ASPECTS OF IMPRISONMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME. THE STUDY FOCUSED ON MALE INCARCERATED INDEX OFFENDERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND EIGHTEEN. OF THE 9,945 BOYS IN THE BIRTH COHORT, 381 FIT THESE CHARACTERISTICS. IT WAS DETERMINED FROM THE DATA THAT INDEX OFFENSES ACTUALLY COMMITTED BY AS WELL AS OFFICIALLY ATTRIBUTED TO BOYS UNDER 18 WOULD INCREASE BY FIVE TO FIFTEEN PERCENT IF A NON-INCARCERATION POLICY WERE ADOPTED. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE RESULTING DECREASE IN INDEX OFFENSES IS NOT WORTH THE COSTS OF INCARCERATION.