NCJ Number
53970
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 76-86
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
REASONS FOR THE HIGH CRIME RATE IN THE UNITED STATES, COMPARED WITH JAPAN, ENGLAND, AND WALES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN ENGLAND AND JAPAN--TWO INDUSTRIALIZED DEMOCRACIES--THE RATES OF VIOLENT CRIME ARE MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE UNITED STATES. IN 1976, THE HOMICIDE RATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF 8.8 PER 100,000 PERSONS, WAS OVER 5 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE RATE IN JAPAN AND NEARLY 8 TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT IN ENGLAND AND WALES; THE ROBBERY RATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1976 WAS 17 TIMES THAT IN JAPAN AND 8 TIMES THAT IN ENGLAND AND WALES; AND THE INCIDENCE OF RAPE IN THIS COUNTRY IS ESTIMATED TO BE NEARLY 10 TIMES THAT IN JAPAN AND 12 TIMES THAT IN ENGLAND AND WALES. POPULATION AND SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS ARE NOT CONSIDERED SUFFICIENTLY DIFFERENT IN THESE THREE COUNRTIES TO ATTRIBUTE THE DIFFERENCE IN CRIME RATE TO THESE KINDS OF FACTORS. STANDARIZED POLICE TRAINING, FEWER LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, THE SPEED OF COURT ADJUDICATION, GUN CONTROL LAWS, FORMALIZED ETHICAL INSTRUCTION OF THE CITIZENRY, AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE DISCUSSED AS THE FACTORS AFFECTING JAPAN'S AND ENGLAND'S LOWER CRIME RATE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE UNITED STATES. STANDARDIZED, QUALITY POLICE TRAINING IS CONSIDERED CHARACTERISTIC OF JAPAN AND ENGLAND; WHEREAS, THE UNITED STATES HOST A MULTIPLICITY OF STANDARDS AND TRAINING PROCEDURES FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. ALSO, DUE TO THE LOW RATE OF POLICE CORRUPTION AND RIGID POLICE TRAINING, JAPAN AND ENGLAND HAVE FEWER RESTRICTIVE LAWS GOVERNING POLICE BEHAVIOR, THUS PROVIDING FOR MORE ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS. ALSO, IN JAPAN AND ENGLAND THE PROCESSING OF SUSPECTS THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM IS MUCH SPEEDIER, A FACTOR CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN CRIME DETERRENCE. STRONG GUN CONTROL LAW AND A GREATER EMPHASIS ON ETHICAL INSTRUCTION AND CONTROLLED BEHAVIOR IN JAPAN AND ENGLAND ARE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN DETERRING CRIME; WHEREAS, IN AMERICA, EASY ACCESS TO GUNS, EMPHASIS ON ACQUISITION OF WEALTH, SELF-PROTECTION, AND SELF-INTEREST TEND TO STIMULATE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN JAPAN AND ENGLAND IS ALSO CONSIDERED A FACTOR THAT LIMITS CRIMES IN THOSE COUNTRIES; WHILE IN THE UNITED STATES, SUCH CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IS RARE. (RCB)