There's More to Crime Control Than the ''Get Tough" Approach

Abstract

In addressing today's difficult crime control problems, the focus should not be on a set of "tough" or "soft" prescriptions but rather on crime control that works. Indeed, serious question exists about the nation's capacity and re sources, even if we so desired, to achieve "tough crime control" in significant degree—that is, to substantially increase ap prehension and conviction rates and intensify the severity and length of sentences and imprisonment. It appears also that the most critical leverage point for crime reduction may lie in the correction of offenders and redirection of repeaters away from criminal behavior. Here, the "tough" or punitive ap proach is a high-cost, low-yield alternative. It offers much less potential than the "softer" regime of training, education, job placement, counseling, and community reacceptance, designed to equip offenders for a productive, law-observing role in the society to which virtually all will return.