NCJ Number
53910
Journal
Humanist Volume: 38 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 20-23
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE OF VIOLENCE IS EXPLORED, VIEWS REGARDING THE FUTILITY OR UTILITY OF EFFORTS TO REHABILITATE VIOLENT OFFENDERS ARE CONSIDERED, AND DIRECTIONS FOR SUCH EFFORTS ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
MOST RESPONSES TO PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT VIOLENCE ARE WORSE THAN NONRESPONSES. THERE ARE PALLIATIVES (E.G., SUGGESTIONS THAT VIOLENCE IN NEWS BE MANAGED), EXPENSIVE SYMBOLS (E.G., ESCALATIONS OF POLICE ARMAMENT), AND BROAD-GAUGED LEGISLATION THAT INEVITABLY MAKES SCAPEGOATS OF NONTARGETED OFFENDERS AND FAILS TO ZERO IN ON THE SADISTIC HOODLUM WHO REPEATEDLY ATTACKS PEOPLE WEAKER THAN HIMSELF WITH UTTER DISREGARD FOR THEIR SUFFERING. WHILE VIOLENCE DOES THRIVE AMONG PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SETTINGS THAT ARE POOR IN OPPORTUNITY AND EMASCULATING, IT FLOWERS IN THE MINDS AND ACTS ON SOME SELECTIVELY REACTIVE YOUTHS WITHIN THESE SETTINGS. REPEATED VIOLENCE ALWAYS IS A PRODUCT OF A PERSON'S PERSONALITY, AND THOSE WHO ACT VIOLENTLY MUST BE DEALT WITH AS INDIVIDUALS. THIS MEANS TREATMENT-REHABILITATION. BUT EVEN IF TREATMENT WORKS, THE QUESTION OF WHY VIOLENT OFFENDERS SHOULD BE TREATED--HOW MUCH VIOLENCE CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH TREATMENT--REMAINS. IT MAY BE ARGUED THAT RESOURCES ARE BETTER USED IN SOCIAL REFORM OR MASSIVE POLICING, THAT THE POOR RECORD OF REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS IS CLEAR PROOF THAT INCAPACITATION AND DETERRENCE THROUGH LONG IMPRISONMENT ARE PREFERABLE APPROACHES, OR THAT VIOLENCE LURKS AMONG OFFENDERS WHO ARE NOT CAUGHT, NOT AMONG THOSE WHO ARE EXPOSED TO TREATMENT. THESE ARGUMENTS HAVE VALIDITY. HOWEVER, RATHER THAN JUSTIFYING AN END TO TREATMENT EFFORTS, THEY SUGGEST PROBLEMS WITH THESE EFFORTS AND DIRECTIONS FOR CHANGE. THE PROSPECTS THAT EMERGE ARE INTIMIDATING AND UNINVITING FOR TRADITION-BOUND PROFESSIONALS: SELECTIVE STAFFING; INNOVATIVE OUTREACH PROGRAMS; MORE MONEY FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH DRUG-EXPERIMENTING DROPOUTS IN COLD-WATER FLATS AND WITH GANG MEMBERS IN THE STREETS; LESS MONEY FOR EDUCATIONAL GADGETS; MORE GROUP WORK IN INNER-CITY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS; THE HIRING OF NEIGHBORHOOD PERSONS OF INTEGRITY, RATHER THAN IRRELEVANT SPECIALISTS AND MERCENARY CONSULTANTS. A WHOLESALE REFORM OF SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS, AIMED AT GETTING HELP TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN VIOLENCE-PROMOTIVE SETTINGS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE NEED TO DEAL WITH THESE PEOPLE AFTER THEY HAVE BECOME THE DESTRUCTIVE PRODUCTS OF SUCH SETTINGS, IS NEEDED. ANY REFORM MUST ALSO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE. POLICE MUST BE PRESENT IN FORCE TO PROTECT POTENTIAL VICTIMS, NOT ONLY TO CHASE OFFENDERS. (LKM)