NCJ Number
80539
Journal
Across the Board Volume: 17 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1980) Pages: 26-31
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The results of the Figgie Report on the fear of crime in the United States are discussed, and suggestions are offered regarding the treatment of offenders and the allocation of Federal resources targeted toward crime prevention.
Abstract
The Figgie Report, based on a random telephone survey of 1,047 people, suggests that violent crime has become so routine a preoccupation of most Americans that it has altered their daily habits and that this pervasive fear leaves Americans in a foul mood and inclines them to attitudes of meanness and retribution. It states that 4 out of 10 Americans are highly fearful that they will become victims of violent crimes and that these people tend to avoid venturing outside in the evenings. One out of 5 people mentioned that crime has increased in their neighborhoods in the past year, nearly 2 out of 3 believe that police should be given more power to question people, and 8 out of 10 feel that the criminal justice system is ineffective in rehabilitating criminals. Furthermore, most people favor long prison sentences for convicted criminals, and two out of three favor imposition of the death penalty. To cope with the growing crime problem, penologists suggest that up to 80 percent of the prison population could be 'punished' in more constructive ways outside of prison and that victim compensation programs should be established. These proposals reflect a fundamental shift in expectations for the criminal justice system. They do not assume that the war on crime can be won but that a considerable level of crime is likely to exist for a long time. No references are cited.