NCJ Number
39765
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology Volume: 67 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1976) Pages: 351-355
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
PAPER CONCERNING THE EFFECT OF A NONGROWING, STABLE POPULATION'S AGE STRUCTURE ON CRIME RATES.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER IS TO SHOW: THE AMOUNT OF REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL CRIME (ARREST) RATE WHEN THE 1970 AGE-SPECIFIC RATES ARE APPLIED TO THE AGE STRUCTURE OF A PROJECTED STATIONARY POPULATION, AND THE CHANGE IN TOTAL VOLUME OF CRIME (ARRESTS) EXPECTED FOR SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE PROJECTIONS OF POPULATION SIZE IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THOSE FOR A STATIONARY POPULATION. IN HIS FINAL DISCUSSION, THE AUTHOR STATES THAT PRISONS ARE OVERCROWDED, AND COURTS HAVE VAST CASELOAD BACKLOGS. EVEN WITH REDUCED CRIME RATES, THE SITUATION WILL DETERIORATE IF CURRENT PRACTICES AND PRESENT LEVELS OF FACILITIES AND RESOURCES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CONTINUE. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT A STATIONARY POPULATION, EVEN WITH SOMEWHAT REDUCED CRIME RATES, WILL NOT REDUCE THE BURDEN OF CRIME ON SOCIETY AND CANNOT COUNTERBALANCE THE INFLUENCE OF OTHER FACTORS TENDING TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CRIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...KAP