CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR CORPORATE CRIMINALS (FROM CRIME AND JUSTICE, 1971-1972 - AN AMS ANTHOLOGY, 1974 BY JACKWELL SUSMAN - SEE NCJ-28615)

• NCJ Number: 28633
• Author(s): G GEIS
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: AMS Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE OFFERS SEVERAL ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR'S CONTENTION THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE DETERRENT FOR CORPORATE CRIMINALS IS THE IMPOSITION OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES ON EXECUTIVES WHO KNOWINGLY COMMIT OFFENSES.

Abstract

IT WAS NOTED THAT CORPORATE OFFENDERS TEND TO BE PARTICULARLY RESPONSIVE TO PENAL SANCTIONS, AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT CLASS BIAS PLAYS A LARGE ROLE IN KEEPING SUCH OFFENDERS OUT OF PRISON. THE ARTICLE FURTHER ARGUED THAT CORPORATE CRIME ACCOUNTS FOR MORE DEATH, INJURY, AND DEPRIVATION THAN THE TRADITIONAL CRIMES NOW PUNISHED BY IMPOSITION OF CRIMINAL SANCTIONS. IT WAS NOTED ALSO THAT CORPORATE CRIMES PROBABLY CREATE A CYNICISM AND GENERAL SOCIAL MALAISE FAR MORE SERIOUS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE COUNTRY THAN THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE KINDS OF EVENTS THAT MAKE UP THE USUAL STATISTICAL SUMMARIES OF CRIME. FINALLY, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT EVIDENCE EXISTS FOR THE VIEW THAT PUBLIC OPINION FAVORS SOCIAL POLICIES AIMED AT INFLICTING UPON CORPORATE CRIMINALS THE KINDS OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEY DESERVE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)