Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs A Policy Guide

by Walker, Samuel

• ISBN13: 9780534616540
• ISBN10: 0534616542
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-17
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Walker's SENSE AND NONSENSE was the first book to challenge common misconceptions about crime and remains the most effective at doing so. Described as a "masterful critique" of American policies ? on everything from crime control to guns to drugs ? Walker cuts through myths and political rhetoric and confronts both conservative and liberal propositions relative to current research and proven effectiveness. The result is a research-based, lucid work that stimulates critical thinking and enlivens class discussions. Walker captures the complexity of the administration of justice while providing students with a clear sense of the general patterns.

Table of Contents

Propositions	xviii
Foreword	xxi
Preface	xxiii
I THINKING CLEARLY ABOUT CRIME	1	(82)
Crime and Policy: A Complex Problem	3	(28)
Crime at a 30-Year Low	3	(4)
Is It Genuine?	4	(1)
A Notable Exception	5	(1)
Explaining the Crime Drop	6	(1)
Contextual vs. Policy Factors	6	(1)
The Purpose of This Book	7	(1)
The New Standard: Evidence-Based Crime Policy	7	(4)
Why the Need for Evidence-Based Crime Policy?	8	(2)
The New Standards of Evidence-Based Crime Policy	10	(1)
Our Approach to Evaluating Crime Policies	11	(1)
Understanding the American Crime Problem	11	(2)
America's Two Crime Problems	12	(1)
The Bait and Switch Problem	13	(1)
Waging War on Crime	13	(5)
Race, Ethnicity, and the War on Crime	15	(1)
The War on Crime and the Criminal Justice System	16	(1)
The Futility of Waging ``War'' on Crime	16	(2)
Crime Policy: A Plague of Nonsense	18	(3)
The Ground Rules	18	(1)
Thinking Clearly about Crime Prevention	19	(1)
The Question of Reasonable Goals	19	(1)
The New Focus on Communities and Crime	20	(1)
Contextual Factors: Recent Social Trends	20	(1)
Guilty: Liberals and Conservatives	21	(1)
Crime Control Theology	21	(6)
Conservative Theology	22	(2)
Liberal Theology	24	(1)
A Word about Rules	25	(1)
Ideological Confusion: Switching Sides	26	(1)
Conclusion	27	(1)
Notes	27	(4)
Models of Criminal Justice	31	(16)
The Crime Commission's Model	33	(1)
The Criminal Justice Wedding Cake	34	(10)
Celebrated Cases: The Top Layer	35	(3)
Serious Felonies: The Second and Third Layers	38	(1)
The Impact of Prior Record	39	(1)
The Impact of the Victim/Offender Relationship	39	(3)
Prior Relationship: A Policy Dilemma	42	(1)
Hard or Soft on Crime? Unraveling the Paradox	42	(1)
The Lower Depths: The Fourth Layer	43	(1)
Conclusion	44	(1)
Notes	45	(2)
The Going Rate	47	(21)
Evaluating the System	47	(1)
The Funnel	48	(9)
Rejections and Dismissals: Loophole?	51	(2)
Punishing Offenders	53	(3)
An International Perspective on the Going Rate	56	(1)
The Courtroom Work Group	57	(6)
An Administrative System of Justice	58	(2)
The Limits of Reform	60	(1)
The Dynamics of Reform	61	(1)
Criminal Justice Thermodynamics	62	(1)
Wrongful Convictions: How Many Mistakes?	63	(2)
Conclusion	65	(1)
Notes	65	(3)
The Career Criminal	68	(15)
Wolfgang's Birth Cohort	68	(2)
Other Cohort Studies	70	(1)
Defining Our Terms and Concepts	71	(1)
From Research to Policy	72	(1)
Application Problems	72	(1)
The Prediction Problem	73	(5)
The Work Study	74	(1)
The Texas Death Row Inmate Study	75	(1)
The Federal Sentencing Guidelines	76	(1)
The Rand Selective Incapacitation Study	76	(2)
How Much Crime Do They Commit?	78	(2)
Conclusion	80	(1)
Notes	80	(3)
II ``GET TOUGH'': THE CONSERVATIVE ATTACK ON CRIME	83	(94)
Unleash the Cops!	85	(24)
More Cops on the Street	85	(7)
The Police and Crime	86	(2)
Hiring More Police: The COPS Program	88	(1)
Cost-Effective?	89	(1)
The Deterrent Effect of Patrol: Lessons of Kansas City	89	(1)
Understanding Deterrence	90	(1)
Traditional Police Crime-Fighting Strategies	91	(1)
Faster Response Time	92	(3)
Innovations in Policing	93	(1)
Case Study: Smart in Oakland	94	(1)
Zero-Tolerance in New York City	94	(1)
More Detectives	95	(4)
Myths and Realities of Detective Work	95	(3)
Targeting Career Criminals	98	(1)
Eliminate the ``Technicalities''	99	(6)
Repeal the Exclusionary Rule	99	(4)
Abolish Miranda	103	(2)
Conclusion	105	(1)
Notes	105	(4)
Deter the Criminals	109	(23)
Deterrence Theory	109	(3)
Assumptions Underlying Deterrence	110	(1)
From Theory to Practice: Four Problems	111	(1)
Scare the *%!#@ Out of Them!	112	(2)
A Famous but Failed Program	112	(1)
The Risk of Arrest: Some Preliminary Evidence	113	(1)
The Death Penalty	114	(4)
Sorting Out the Issues	114	(1)
Executions and Crime: Sellin's Studies	114	(1)
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet	115	(2)
Delays and Deterrence	117	(1)
``Brutalization'' and ``Resetting''	117	(1)
Summary	118	(1)
Deterring the Drunk Driver	118	(8)
The ``Killer Drunk'' and Other Myths	118	(1)
Deterrence and Drunk Driving	119	(3)
Drunk Drivers in Court	122	(1)
Crackdown Costs	123	(1)
Alternative Strategies for Dealing with Traffic Fatalities	124	(2)
Summary	126	(1)
Deterring Burglars and Robbers	126	(2)
The Rand Inmate Survey	127	(1)
Deterring Domestic Violence	128	(1)
Conclusion	129	(1)
Notes	129	(3)
Lock 'Em Up	132	(26)
Getting Criminals Off the Street	132	(1)
Preventive Detention	133	(6)
A Short History of Bail Reform	133	(1)
An Early Test: Preventive Detention in Washington, DC	134	(1)
The 1984 Federal Bail Reform Act	135	(1)
Crime on Bail: Myths and Reality	136	(1)
The Prediction Problem Revisited	137	(2)
Speedy Trial: A Better Way	139	(1)
Incapacitation	139	(7)
Selective Incapacitation: The Rand Formula	140	(2)
Gross Incapacitation: Zedlewski's New Math	142	(2)
Incapacitation: A Sober Estimate	144	(1)
Let Them Out, but Keep Them Away from Us: Megan's Laws	145	(1)
Mandatory Sentencing	146	(5)
Two Case Studies	146	(4)
Mandatory Sentencing and Crime	150	(1)
Three Strikes---We Are All Out	151	(3)
Implementation	152	(1)
Impact on Crime	152	(1)
Summary: Striking Out	153	(1)
Conclusion	154	(1)
Notes	155	(3)
Close the Loopholes	158	(19)
Prosecute the Career Criminal	158	(3)
Getting Tough in San Diego	158	(2)
Other Prosecution Programs	160	(1)
Abolish the Insanity Defense	161	(6)
Sorting Out the Issues	162	(1)
The Reality of the Insanity Defense	162	(1)
Aftermath of Acquittal	163	(1)
Danger to the Community	164	(1)
The Impact of Abolition	164	(3)
Abolish Plea Bargaining	167	(4)
Alaska Bans Plea Bargaining	168	(2)
Other Experiments	170	(1)
In Search of Plea Bargains	170	(1)
Restrict Appeals	171	(2)
Limiting Appeals	172	(1)
The Reality of Postconviction Appeals	172	(1)
Conclusion	173	(1)
Notes	174	(3)
III THE MIDDLE GROUND: GUNS AND VICTIMS	177	(38)
Protect Crime Victims	179	(14)
The Victims' Rights Movement	179	(4)
New Laws and Programs	180	(1)
Critics of the Movement	181	(1)
Sorting Out the Issues	181	(1)
Criteria for Evaluation	182	(1)
Victim Assistance Programs	183	(2)
Police/Victim Recontact	185	(1)
Victim Compensation	185	(1)
Expanding the Victim's Voice	186	(3)
The Impact of Victims' Voice Laws	187	(2)
Speedy Trials	189	(1)
Getting Tough on Crime	189	(2)
Mandatory Arrest for Domestic Violence	190	(1)
Conclusion	191	(1)
Notes	191	(2)
Control Gun Crimes	193	(22)
The Problem with Guns---and Gun Policy	193	(2)
The Policy Questions	193	(2)
Gun Ownership and Gun-Related Violence	195	(1)
Types of Guns	195	(1)
Gun Ownership	195	(1)
Handgun-Related Violence	195	(1)
Gun-Related Laws	196	(1)
Policy Attitudes toward Gun Control	196	(1)
Ban Handguns	197	(4)
Ban Possession	197	(1)
The Limits of Banning Handguns	198	(1)
Ban Bullets	198	(1)
Ban the Manufacture and Importation of Handguns	199	(1)
Buy Back Handguns	199	(1)
Ban Saturday Night Specials	200	(1)
Ban Assault Weapons	200	(1)
Summary	201	(1)
Regulate the Sale and Possession of Handguns	201	(2)
Regulate Gun Dealers	201	(1)
Background Checks: The Brady Law	202	(1)
Summary	203	(1)
Restrict the Use of Handguns	203	(5)
Restrict the Carrying of Handguns	204	(1)
Guns at Airports and Schools	205	(1)
Get Guns off the Street: The Kansas City Experiment	206	(1)
The Boston Gun Project	207	(1)
Summary	207	(1)
More Guns? Right-to-Carry Laws	207	(1)
Handguns as Self-Protection	208	(1)
Get Tough on Weapons Offenses	208	(3)
Getting Tough in Detroit	209	(1)
Project Exile in Richmond	210	(1)
Conclusion	211	(1)
Notes	211	(4)
IV REFORM: THE LIBERAL PRESCRIPTION	215	(44)
Treat 'Em!	217	(27)
Rehabilitating Criminals	217	(2)
The Philosophy of Rehabilitation	217	(1)
Old and New Programs	218	(1)
The Politics of Rehabilitation: The Willie Horton Furlough	218	(1)
The ``Nothing Works'' Controversy	219	(2)
Was Martinson Right?	220	(1)
The Prediction Problem Revisited	220	(1)
Traditional Rehabilitation Programs	221	(10)
Diversion	221	(5)
Probation	226	(2)
Parole	228	(3)
The New Intermediate Punishments	231	(6)
Boot Camps	232	(2)
Intensive Parole Supervision	234	(1)
Home Confinement and Electronic Monitoring	235	(1)
Lessons of the Intermediate Punishment Movement	236	(1)
Confused Goals	236	(1)
Innovative Roles for Probation and Parole	237	(1)
Special Treatment Programs	237	(1)
Treatment for Domestic Violence Batterers	237	(1)
A Conservative Variation: Faith-Based Treatment	238	(2)
Sorting Out the Issues	239	(1)
Are Faith-Based Programs Effective?	239	(1)
Offender Reentry	240	(1)
Conclusion: Any Future for Rehabilitation?	240	(1)
Notes	241	(3)
Gain Compliance with the Law	244	(15)
The Basis of an Orderly Society	244	(3)
Compliance with the Law	244	(1)
Legitimacy and Compliance	245	(1)
Does Legitimacy Matter? The Evidence	245	(2)
Building Legitimacy	247	(2)
Building Outreach to Citizens and Communities	247	(1)
Eliminating Bias and the Perception of Bias	248	(1)
Decriminalization	249	(7)
New Perspective on an Old Issue	249	(1)
The Rationale for Decriminalization	250	(2)
The Terms of the Debate	252	(1)
The Potential Impact of Decriminalization	253	(2)
Summary	255	(1)
Conclusion	256	(1)
Notes	256	(3)
V THE DRUG PROBLEM	259	(32)
Sense and Nonsense About Drugs	261	(30)
The Drug Problem	261	(5)
Hysteria over Drugs	261	(1)
Myths and Realities about Drugs and Crime	262	(1)
The Extent of Illegal Drug Use	262	(2)
The Drug--Crime Connection	264	(1)
The Drug Policy Choices	265	(1)
The War on Drugs: Policy and Consequences	266	(5)
The Impact of the War on Drugs	267	(1)
Police Crackdowns	268	(1)
Interdiction and Eradication	269	(1)
Tougher Sentencing	270	(1)
Limits of the Criminal Law: The Lessons of History	271	(2)
The Lessons of History	272	(1)
When Social Control Does Work	272	(1)
Demand Reduction: Drug Education	273	(4)
``Just Say No''	273	(2)
Dare: Success or Failure?	275	(1)
But Some Education Programs Do Work	276	(1)
Drug Treatment	277	(4)
Varieties of Treatment	277	(1)
Does Treatment Work?	278	(2)
But Something Positive Has Happened	280	(1)
Legalize Drugs?	281	(4)
Varieties of Legalization	281	(4)
Conclusion	285	(1)
Notes	286	(5)
VI CONCLUSIONS	291	(28)
Crime and Community: Putting It All Together	293	(26)
The New Community Focus on Crime Control	293	(5)
The Goals of This Chapter	294	(1)
The Theoretical Background	295	(1)
The Empirical Basis	296	(1)
The Basic Paradigm: Operation Cease Fire in Boston	296	(2)
Innovations in Policing	298	(3)
Case Study: Problem-Oriented Policing in Jersey City	299	(1)
Unanswered Questions about the Future	300	(1)
Community Prosecution	301	(3)
The Concept of Community Prosecution	301	(1)
The New York Midtown Community Court	302	(1)
Evaluation of the MCC	303	(1)
A Critical Look at Community Prosecution	303	(1)
Offender Reentry Programs	304	(2)
The Importance of Offender Reentry	304	(1)
A Closer Look at Returning Prisoners	305	(1)
What's Really New? A Close Look at Joan Petersilia's Recommendations	306	(5)
Investing in Prison-Based Rehabilitation Programs	306	(1)
Restoring Discretionary Parole Release	307	(1)
Front-Loading Postrelease Services	308	(1)
Eliminate Restrictions on Convicted Offenders	309	(1)
Summary	310	(1)
Proactive Parole Supervision	311	(1)
Restorative Justice	312	(2)
Restorative Justice in Operation	312	(2)
Conclusion	314	(1)
Notes	314	(5)
Index	319