- Email: [email protected]
Recidivism
Jourrrol of Criwwctl lusriw Vol. 13. pp.47Y-4X4 Pcrgamon Press. Printed in U.S.A.
CURRENT
( 1985)
PUBLICATIONS
Katherine
ABSTRACTS
M. Hayes
The concept of recidivism is analyzed in this book. Maltz does not consider here how much recidivism exists or what causes recidCharles C. Thomas, Publisher (2600 South ivism; rather. his aim is to clarify how First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62717), recidivism is defined and measured. The 1984, 337 pp., hardcover-$34.75. first half of the book describes the role that different definitions of recidivism have This collection of essays surveys the curplayed in evaluating correctional goals and rent state of knowledge about the relationprograms. It explains how programs have ships between the media, crime, and criminal justice and addresses some of the new been accepted or rejected on the basis of “muddy” definitions of recidivism and how issues and controversies that have arisen concerning these relationships. In twenty the organizational contexts of programs have had major impacts on the results of chapters the book considers the role of the media in forming public attitudes toward evaluations. Maltz further specifies in this crime and justice, in criminal and violent section just how recidivism is used to meabehavior. in crime prevention and control, sure programs’ progress toward achieving and in the criminal justice system. the goals of the U.S. correctional system. The second half of the book treats the Contributors analyse the media’s portrayals of crime and justice and explore the problem of analyzing data on recidivism. relationship between heavy television viewDeficiencies in standard analytical methods ing and viewer attitudes. The influence of are noted, and alternative methods and the media on levels of criminality in society models that attempt to eliminate these and the prospects for using the media in deficiencies are described. New selection crime prevention efforts are discussed. criteria and the characteristics of the recidiOther chapters study current controversies vism process are used to se’lect an appropriover the role of the news media in the ate model, which is based on the incomplete courtroom, examine the effects of television exponential distribution. This model is exarrangements on the perceptions of courtplained, and a number of examples of its use room participants, and offer policy recomare given. mendations. References follow each contriThe book contains eleven ‘chapters. Defibution, and a general index is provided. nitional and contextual issues related to recidivism are discussed in chapters 2 through 6. Problems of modeling are examRecidivism by Michael D. Maltz. ined in chapters 7 and 8. and statistical Academic Press. Inc. (Orlando. Florida methods for measuring recidivism are 32887). 1984. 240 pp., hardcover-$42.00. treated in chapters 9 and 10. Chapter 11 479 Justice
and the Media:
edited by Ray Surette.
Issues and Research
480
CURRENT
PUBLICATIONS
offers conclusions and proposes directions for future research. Four appendixes provide tables, graphs. and computer programs, giving examples of their use in analyzing correctional data. References and an index complete the volume.
Dangerous Offenders: The Elusive Target of Justice by Mark H. Moore. Susan R. Estrich, Daniel McGillis. and William Spelman. Harvard University Press (525 Great Road, Littleton, Massachusetts 01460), 198.5, 252 pp., hardcover-$20.00 The idea that the criminal justice system might control crime more effectively by focusing its efforts on dangerous offenders, specifically through selective incapacitation, is compelling, according to the authors of this book. Such a focus addresses the major problems confronting the criminal justice system today-increased public concern about crime and overflowing prisons. Recent social science research suggests that such high-rate offenders exist, and further studies have improved .available techniques for distinguishing high-rate offenders on the basis of personal characteristics such as prior criminal conduct, drug abuse, and unemployment. Thus it is not surprising. say the authors of this volume, that throughout the U.S. criminal justice system, attention is being given to “career criminals.” Prosecutors’ offices are developing “career criminal units” designed to assure, by restricting plea bargaining, moving cases expeditiously to trial. and maintaining close relations with victims and that repeat offenders will be witnesses, prosecuted to the full measure of the law. Some police departments are experimenting with “perpetrator-oriented patrols” that target suspected high-rate offenders, others with “felony augmentation programs” that increase investigative efforts in cases involving criminal recidivists. In response to what they describe as an “apparent headlong rush” to focus on dangerous offenders, the authors of this
ABSTRACTS
volume attempt to create a framework for evaluating developments in dangerousoffender policy and for guiding the evolution of that policy. The book aims to discover the social values involved in dangerous-offender policy. to imagine the various ways in which the criminal justice system could be more discriminating with respect to dangerous offenders. and to identify the key uncertainties surrounding the current focus on dangerous offenders. The volume is divided into two parts. Part 1 addresses the general issues that arise as the benefits and risks of a more selective focus on dangerous offenders are considered. Part 2 treats particular questions about how such a focus might be made operational at each stage of the criminal justice system-sentencing. pretrial detention. prosecution. and investigation. Slightly different questions of justice and efficacy are raised at each stage. In the concluding chapter (chapter Y). the authors grant a “qualified endorsement” of selective policies. They believe that, in addition to the practical benefit of reducing prison overcrowding, selective policies may actually enhance justice by compensating for the natural bias of the criminal justice system toward dangerous offenders. Such policies may also reduce the arbitrary nature of sentencing decisions through providing tests designed to discriminate among offenders on the basis of past criminal record. However. the authors caution. the benefits and risks of an explicit focus on dangerous offenders depend on the spirit in which the concept is introduced, the concrete ways in which it is made operational. and the provisions made for gathering information to resolve important uncertainties. Three broad principles are proposed for endorsing selective policies. Such policies (1) should be guided by a very narrow definition of dangerous offenders; (7) should be considered retributivist rather than utilitarian. targeting those whose acts are particularly blameworthy rather than those who, it is predicted. will behave badly in the future: and (3) should not be considered a comprehensive solution to the
CURRENT
( 1985)
PUBLICATIONS
Katherine
ABSTRACTS
M. Hayes
The concept of recidivism is analyzed in this book. Maltz does not consider here how much recidivism exists or what causes recidCharles C. Thomas, Publisher (2600 South ivism; rather. his aim is to clarify how First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62717), recidivism is defined and measured. The 1984, 337 pp., hardcover-$34.75. first half of the book describes the role that different definitions of recidivism have This collection of essays surveys the curplayed in evaluating correctional goals and rent state of knowledge about the relationprograms. It explains how programs have ships between the media, crime, and criminal justice and addresses some of the new been accepted or rejected on the basis of “muddy” definitions of recidivism and how issues and controversies that have arisen concerning these relationships. In twenty the organizational contexts of programs have had major impacts on the results of chapters the book considers the role of the media in forming public attitudes toward evaluations. Maltz further specifies in this crime and justice, in criminal and violent section just how recidivism is used to meabehavior. in crime prevention and control, sure programs’ progress toward achieving and in the criminal justice system. the goals of the U.S. correctional system. The second half of the book treats the Contributors analyse the media’s portrayals of crime and justice and explore the problem of analyzing data on recidivism. relationship between heavy television viewDeficiencies in standard analytical methods ing and viewer attitudes. The influence of are noted, and alternative methods and the media on levels of criminality in society models that attempt to eliminate these and the prospects for using the media in deficiencies are described. New selection crime prevention efforts are discussed. criteria and the characteristics of the recidiOther chapters study current controversies vism process are used to se’lect an appropriover the role of the news media in the ate model, which is based on the incomplete courtroom, examine the effects of television exponential distribution. This model is exarrangements on the perceptions of courtplained, and a number of examples of its use room participants, and offer policy recomare given. mendations. References follow each contriThe book contains eleven ‘chapters. Defibution, and a general index is provided. nitional and contextual issues related to recidivism are discussed in chapters 2 through 6. Problems of modeling are examRecidivism by Michael D. Maltz. ined in chapters 7 and 8. and statistical Academic Press. Inc. (Orlando. Florida methods for measuring recidivism are 32887). 1984. 240 pp., hardcover-$42.00. treated in chapters 9 and 10. Chapter 11 479 Justice
and the Media:
edited by Ray Surette.
Issues and Research
480
CURRENT
PUBLICATIONS
offers conclusions and proposes directions for future research. Four appendixes provide tables, graphs. and computer programs, giving examples of their use in analyzing correctional data. References and an index complete the volume.
Dangerous Offenders: The Elusive Target of Justice by Mark H. Moore. Susan R. Estrich, Daniel McGillis. and William Spelman. Harvard University Press (525 Great Road, Littleton, Massachusetts 01460), 198.5, 252 pp., hardcover-$20.00 The idea that the criminal justice system might control crime more effectively by focusing its efforts on dangerous offenders, specifically through selective incapacitation, is compelling, according to the authors of this book. Such a focus addresses the major problems confronting the criminal justice system today-increased public concern about crime and overflowing prisons. Recent social science research suggests that such high-rate offenders exist, and further studies have improved .available techniques for distinguishing high-rate offenders on the basis of personal characteristics such as prior criminal conduct, drug abuse, and unemployment. Thus it is not surprising. say the authors of this volume, that throughout the U.S. criminal justice system, attention is being given to “career criminals.” Prosecutors’ offices are developing “career criminal units” designed to assure, by restricting plea bargaining, moving cases expeditiously to trial. and maintaining close relations with victims and that repeat offenders will be witnesses, prosecuted to the full measure of the law. Some police departments are experimenting with “perpetrator-oriented patrols” that target suspected high-rate offenders, others with “felony augmentation programs” that increase investigative efforts in cases involving criminal recidivists. In response to what they describe as an “apparent headlong rush” to focus on dangerous offenders, the authors of this
ABSTRACTS
volume attempt to create a framework for evaluating developments in dangerousoffender policy and for guiding the evolution of that policy. The book aims to discover the social values involved in dangerous-offender policy. to imagine the various ways in which the criminal justice system could be more discriminating with respect to dangerous offenders. and to identify the key uncertainties surrounding the current focus on dangerous offenders. The volume is divided into two parts. Part 1 addresses the general issues that arise as the benefits and risks of a more selective focus on dangerous offenders are considered. Part 2 treats particular questions about how such a focus might be made operational at each stage of the criminal justice system-sentencing. pretrial detention. prosecution. and investigation. Slightly different questions of justice and efficacy are raised at each stage. In the concluding chapter (chapter Y). the authors grant a “qualified endorsement” of selective policies. They believe that, in addition to the practical benefit of reducing prison overcrowding, selective policies may actually enhance justice by compensating for the natural bias of the criminal justice system toward dangerous offenders. Such policies may also reduce the arbitrary nature of sentencing decisions through providing tests designed to discriminate among offenders on the basis of past criminal record. However. the authors caution. the benefits and risks of an explicit focus on dangerous offenders depend on the spirit in which the concept is introduced, the concrete ways in which it is made operational. and the provisions made for gathering information to resolve important uncertainties. Three broad principles are proposed for endorsing selective policies. Such policies (1) should be guided by a very narrow definition of dangerous offenders; (7) should be considered retributivist rather than utilitarian. targeting those whose acts are particularly blameworthy rather than those who, it is predicted. will behave badly in the future: and (3) should not be considered a comprehensive solution to the