NCJ Number
7674
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1972) Pages: 12-45
Date Published
1972
Length
20 pages
Annotation
CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO COPE WITH IT ARE EXAMINED IN AN ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK.
Abstract
A MATHEMATICAL MODEL IS USED TO DEFINE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AS A SOCIALLY BAD ACTIVITY IN THAT IT WORKS AGAINST THE BEST DISTRIBUTION OF WELFARE. THIS DEFINITION IS INDEPENDENT OF EXISTING LAWS OR ANY THEORY OF WHY PEOPLE COMMIT CRIMES. THUS, ACTIVITIES NORMALLY THOUGHT OF AS CRIMES MAY, AS HERE DEFINED, NOT BE CRIMES AT ALL. THE MODEL PROVIDES CRITERIA FOR DECIDING WHAT ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE REGULATED, DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE CRIME IS SOCIALLY GOOD OR BAD. ESTIMATING THE COST OF CRIME IS SEEN AS A PROCESS OF ESTIMATING THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSIGNING UNIT COSTS TO THE DIFFERENT FACTORS OF PRODUCTION WITHIN EACH ACTIVITY.