NCJ Number
62450
Date Published
1973
Length
38 pages
Annotation
ONE OF A SERIES OF PAMPHLETS ON SOCIAL AND POLITICAL QUESTIONS, THIS VOLUME DEALS WITH CRIME, PUNISHMENT AND REHABILITATION, OFFERING STUDY GUIDELINES AND METHODS OF ANALYSIS TO STUDENTS.
Abstract
THE SERIES OF PAMPHLETS EXPOSES STUDENTS TO A WIDE RANGE OF CONFLICTING OPINIONS ON SOCIAL AND MORAL ISSUES, URGING THEM TO BE AWARE OF THE POLITICAL SLANT OF ARTICLES. DISCUSSION EXERCISES AFTER THE READINGS DEAL WITH DISTINGUISHING FACT FROM OPINION, BIAS FROM REASON, AND PRIMARY FROM SECONDARY SOURCES. THE GOAL IS TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN TO ANALYZE AND INTERPRET WHAT THEY READ. NOTES ON THE INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS INCLUDED INDICATE THEIR BACKGROUNDS AND CREDENTIALS. INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME ARE ARTICLES ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S STUDY ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND QUESTIONS OF PUNISHMENT AND REHABILITATION; LIVING CONDITIONS IN PRISONS, INCLUDING MENIAL WORK, OVERCROWDING, DRUGS AND MENTAL PROBLEMS; THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW AND THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE MAJORITY; AND THE ADVOCATION OF THE ABOLITION OF PRISONS. THIS LAST ARTICLE MAKES SEVERAL POINTS: (1) PRISONS DO NOT DETER CRIME, (2) SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS DETERMINE WHO GOES TO PRISON, AND (3) GOVERNMENT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LARGER CRIMES THAN IS THE COMMON CRIMINAL. ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS FINES AND REHABILITATION ARE URGED. PHOTOS ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (RFC)