NCJ Number
44224
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (1977) Pages: 134-140
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
CRIME PATTERNS IN A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT NEAR PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND, ARE EXAMINED, AND EFFORTS BY PROBATION OFFICERS TO ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY'S PROBLEMS WITH DELINQUENCY AND ADULT CRIME ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE COMMUNITY IN QUESTION IS CALLED LEIGH PARK. MANY OF ITS RESIDENTS MOVED THERE FROM PORTSEA, BRINGING THAT COMMUNITY'S MYTHOLOGY, STEREOTYPES, AND LABELS WITH THEM. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER, THE LABELS REMAIN; LEIGH PARK HAS A BAD REPUTATION. STATISTICS SHOW THAT LEIGH PARK RESIDENTS ACCOUNT FOR A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF ADULT AND JUVENILE CRIME IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE SAME JURISDICTION. AMONG THE SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS DISTINGUISHING LEIGH PARK FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES ARE ITS RELATIVELY YOUNG POPULATION, HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUTHS, LOWER EARNING POTENTIAL OF HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS, AND LACK OF SOCIAL AMENITIES. PROBATION OFFICERS ARE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH LEIGH PARK YOUTH AS WELL AS WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS. COURT OFFICERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS APPEAR TO BE IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO PROVIDE A BRIDGE BETWEEN OFFENDERS AND SOCIETY. THE LEIGH PARK EXPERIENCE IS SAID TO DEMONSTRATE HOW PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES TEND TO ACT OUT THEIR LABELS.