Controlling Crime: Strategies and Tradeoffs

TLDR

Criminal‑justice spending has more than doubled since the 1980s, and recent fiscal shortfalls make it increasingly urgent to explore crime‑control options that do not rely on higher public expenditures. The book seeks to identify alternative crime‑reduction strategies that preserve public safety while reducing reliance on traditional criminal‑justice spending. It does so through a broad conceptual framework and literature review that examines criminal‑justice reform, social and policy interventions, and the roles of private and public agencies in alcohol, drug, and private crime prevention.

Abstract

Criminal justice expenditures have more than doubled since the 1980s, dramatically increasing costs to the public. With state and local revenue shortfalls resulting from the recent recession, the question of whether crime control can be accomplished either with fewer resources or by investing those resources in areas other than the criminal justice system is all the more relevant. Controlling Crime considers alternative ways to reduce crime that do not sacrifice public safety. Among the topics considered here are criminal justice system reform, social policy, and government policies affecting alcohol abuse, drugs, and private crime prevention. Particular attention is paid to the respective roles of both the private sector and government agencies. Through a broad conceptual framework and a careful review of the relevant literature, this volume provides insight into the important trends and patterns of some of the interventions that may be effective in reducing crime.