NCJ Number
18076
Date Published
1975
Length
198 pages
Annotation
SOCIAL PARAMETERS OF CRIME PREVENTION, A DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR REALITIES IN WHICH CRIME PREVENTION IS FORCED TO OPERATE, AND SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES TO THE CURRENT DIRECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE NATURE AND THE EXTENT OF CRIME IN SOCIETY, THEORIES ABOUT THE CAUSES OF CRIME, AND CONTEMPORARY PROGRAMS OF CRIME PREVENTION ARE FIRST DISCUSSED. A DESCRIPTION OF POLITICAL FORCES THAT AID OR IMPEDE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS IS PROVIDED. AMONG THE TOPICS EXPLORED ARE POLITICAL POWER AND THE POLICE, COURTS, LEGAL FUNCTIONARIES, AND CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL, AND AN ANALYSIS OF POLICE ACTIVISM AND COMMUNITY ACTION. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY-BASED CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS IS TRACED, AND THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH COMMUNITY RESOURCES MIGHT BE MOBILIZED FOR CRIME PREVENTION IS DISCUSSED. CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY-BASED CRIME PREVENTION SUCH AS THE EFFECTIVE LIMITS OF CRIMINAL LAW AND THE PROPER BALANCE OF CITIZEN PROTECTION AND OFFENDER TREATMENT ARE ALSO INDICATED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)