RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE

• NCJ Number: 68057
• Journal: Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY/SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 297-310
• Author(s): A PEYREFITTE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: French
• Country: Switzerland

Annotation

REPORTS ARE GIVEN BY RESEARCH GROUPS DEALING WITH THE CONNECTION BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND ECONOMIC FACTORS, THE PROTECTION OF JUVENILES (IN FRANCE), AND PENAL AND CORRECTIONAL ASPECTS OF VIOLENCE.

Abstract

THE FIRST WORKING GROUP SEES VIOLENCE AS TIED TO PROFIT-SEEKING, BOTH ON THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL (AN OFFENDER'S ECONOMIC MOTIVATIONS) AND ON THE SOCIETAL LEVEL (WHICH OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIOLENCE. FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, THE GROUP RECOMMENDS INCREASING THE DIFFICULTIES IN COMMITTING THE ILLEGAL ACT, DECREASING THE CHANCES FOR PROFIT, INCREASING THE RISKS OF BEING CAUGHT, AND IMPROVING THE SYSTEM OF PENALTIES FOR SUCH ACTION. FOR THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, THE GROUP SUGGESTS RESEARCH THAT WILL AIM AT IMPROVING WORKING CONDITIONS, DECREASING THE ANONYMITY AND FRAGMENTATION OF JOBS, AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNICATION WITHIN BUSINESSES. FROM ITS STUDY OF OFFENSE RATES, SOCIAL FACTORS, AND AGE FACTORS, THE WORKING GROUP ON JUVENILE CRIME OFFERS SUCH REMEDIES AS EXPANDING JUVENILE CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS IN URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT CULTIVATE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND FILL IN GAPS LEFT BY BROKEN FAMILIES, FURTHER DEVELOPING PREVENTION SERVICES WITH BETTER TRAINED PERSONNEL AND MORE FUNDING, REINFORCING JUVENILE PROTECTION IN THE COURTS, AND STIMULATING SPECIALIZED SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FOR PROBLEM STUDENTS. VIOLENCE ON TELEVISION AND IN THE MOVIES SHOULD BE CURTAILED, AND MORE FAMILY EDUCATION SHOULD BE DEVELOPED. TO COMBAT CRIMINALITY, A THIRD WORKING GROUP SUGGESTS THAT MAGISTRATES' COURTS SHOULD ACTIVELY SEEK TO PREVENT CONFLICTS AND TO COORDINATE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN TROUBLED PARTIES; POLICE EFFICIENCY SHOULD BE IMPROVED, WITH MORE PATROLS AND BETTER DISTRIBUTION; JUDICIAL PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DIVERSIFIED WITH NEW JURISDICTIONS FOR PETTY CRIMES AND ECONOMIC CRIMES; CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES SHOULD BE BROADENED; AND THE LENGTH AND TYPE OF INCARCERATION SHOULD BE ADAPTED TO THE CRIMINAL AND THE CRIME. --IN FRENCH.