NCJ Number
170733
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 32 Issue: 5 Dated: (September-October 1996) Pages: 470-473
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article seeks to define the crime problem in America and suggests a crime policy change from punitive to preventative.
Abstract
Central to the problem of crime in America is criminal violence and drug-related crimes committed by young males, roughly ages 15 to 24. Youth violence has increased dramatically in the past 10 years, and violent youth appear to be getting younger each year. Demographic projections suggest that youth violence will increase even more during the next 10 to 15 years. Reducing levels of youth violence and related problem behaviors requires a shift in crime policy from punitive reactions to efforts at prevention. Prevention programs deal with proportionally more of the offenses, especially the serious offenses, that will eventually be committed by the violent few. In addition, earlier in the careers of delinquents, when prevention happens, there are likely to be fewer co-occurring problem behaviors; there is a greater likelihood of success since there is less behavioral opposition to overcome. And finally, a preventative strategy helps to short-circuit developing criminal careers. Note