NCJ Number
100750
Date Published
1986
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study guide, which accompanies the 'Crime File' videotape on repeat offenders, examines the identification and apprehension of repeat offenders, pertinent legal issues, the effectiveness of the District of Columbia Repeat Offender Program (ROP), and the prosecution of select repeat offenders.
Abstract
Most academics and virtually all criminal justice practitioners support efforts to selectively incapacitate persons who commit serious crimes at a high rate over a long period. Controversy surrounds the tests used to identify such offenders and the extent to which their sentences exceed those of other offenders adjudicated for a similar crime. ROP relies on criminal informants and other information sources to identify persons currently active in crime. A Police Foundation evaluation of ROP targets indicates they have serious criminal histories and had been arrested within the previous year. ROP apprehension methods include obtaining enough information to secure a search warrant, conducting raids on premises suspected to contain conducting raids on premises suspected to contain drugs and stolen property, and conducting ''sting' operations. Sting operations are careful to avoid entrapment, i.e., the police do not induce a person to commit an offense they would not otherwise commit. The Police Foundation's ROP evaluation found that ROP targets were five times more likely to be arrested than targets randomly assigned to a control group not investigated by ROP. Whether ROP reduced crime in the District of Columbia could not be determined. Discussion questions and 7 references are included. 7 references.