NCJ Number
146072
Date Published
1993
Length
54 pages
Annotation
Recognizing that the crime rate in the United States is increasing and that the criminal justice system by itself can have only a limited impact on crime rates, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) contends that the most effective crime reduction strategy should focus on social and economic factors known to be related to high crime rates.
Abstract
The NCCD believes that all sectors of society, including government, corporations, religious groups, communities, and charitable organizations should be part of crime reduction. Further, the NCCD feels that its plan will require 10 years before substantial crime reductions are realized. The plan does not require additional funds; rather, it involves eliminating ineffective programs and policies and expanding new programs that reduce crime. The plan identifies immediate actions that can be taken: correct racial inequalities in criminal justice arrest, detention, and court sentencing; reduce or at least stabilize criminal justice system costs; and reallocate averted criminal justice expenditures to primary prevention activities. With respect to drug law enforcement, the plan incorporates four objectives: reduce spending on interdiction and other supply reduction strategies; reallocate existing funds for interdiction and enforcement to treatment and education; correct racial and economic inequities in drug law enforcement and in access to treatment; and identify and develop effective drug treatment and education programs. Long-term actions to reduce crime focus on family planning, prenatal care, child health services, and primary and secondary education. 7 tables and 4 figures