Crime Control, Politics and Policy by Peter J. Benekos & Alida V. Merlo

Author:Peter J. Benekos & Alida V. Merlo [Benekos, Peter J. & Merlo, Alida V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Criminology, Fiction, Social Science, Mystery & Detective, Political Science, Police & Law Enforcement, Juvenile Nonfiction, Law Enforcement, General
ISBN: 9781317523475
Google: EyugBAAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 27290815
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 1999-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

Discussion: Revising Correctional Policy

The continued reliance on incarceration as a prevailing strategy to reduce crime in America is contraindicative. The opportunity costs and human costs associated with these policies are too high. Allocating additional money into reactive policies masks the real issues. A successful comprehensive crime control strategy depends on realizing that there is no quick fix to the crime problem.

As Kappeler, Blumberg, and Potter have discussed, presenting simple explanations and quick solutions is part of the crime mythology perpetrated on the public (1996). By focusing on sensational, celebrated cases—usually of the “most bizarre and gruesome” nature—the media are giving “false impressions of order and magnitude to criminal events” (Kappeler, Blumberg & Potter, 1996:5). The resulting distortion and frenzy generated by media coverage serves to exacerbate fears of victimization (p. 10). As a result, isolated incidents can become social issues, and, over time, politicized, these emerge as crime problems (Kappeler & Potter, 2005:7). With an audience emotionally prepared for the worst and an industry focused on instant and dramatic coverage of crime stories, it is not surprising that (as Blumstein noted) crime and punishment have captivated public attention (1998). In spite of declining crime rates, “the continual demands for harsher sentencing, reductions in good-time credits required by truth-in-sentencing statutes, and stricter handling of parole violators all continue to push state prison populations to even higher levels” (Greenwood, 1998:136).

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