NCJ Number
137533
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1992) Pages: 1-10
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the problems associated with the bureaucratic definition of organized crime families and suggests some alternative viewpoints.
Abstract
Presented in 1969, Cressey's bureaucratic interpretation has been the dominant view of the subject. He described the family structure as consisting of 24 families; each with a boss, underboss, sonsigliere, capos, and soldiers. Above these families, a Commission, consisting of about nine of the most influential bosses and dominated by New York, directed and coordinated organized crime in the United States. However, Cressey's description of the family as a business enterprise overlooks the independent legal and illegal activities of family members. In addition, the money-making activities of family members are markedly nonbureaucratic and entrepreneurial compared to the legitimate economy. Therefore, studies of the organized underworld should focus on the economic factors that shape the illegal enterprises, the geographical factors that underlie the locations of criminal dealing, and the law enforcement policies that provide a context within which entrepreneurs operate. Other research should focus on the associations that criminals have sometimes formed to assist in their illegal activities. Footnotes and 21 references