NCJ Number
183675
Date Published
1998
Length
312 pages
Annotation
This analysis of conservative, moderate, and liberal crime control policies concludes that most policies are mistaken, because they rest on false assumptions or repeat past policies that research has revealed to be ineffective; the analysis concludes that most criminal justice-related policies will not significantly reduce crime.
Abstract
The book examines empirical support for popular policies, including putting more police on the street, imprisoning more offenders, and implementing drug treatment. It concludes that conservative and liberal crime control policies are equally lacking in empirical support. It also notes that some crime control and crime prevention programs have worked and that other strategies exist that promise to be even more effective. However, these strategies often have little ideological purity. They are effective because they rest on definitive data regarding the nature of crime and criminals. The author concludes that developing an effective crime policy is not a matter of ideology. Instead, it requires solid policy research; realistic expectations; and, most of all, dealing with the social problem that lead to crime. These social problems include poverty, inequality, and family breakdown; the criminal justice system can do little about these problems except make them worse. Tables, figures, illustrations, chapter reference notes, and index