Crime and Punishment in America

Rating:
Summary: Prison myths
Review: Crime, like any other social issue, is a topic people have very strong opinions on. But also like any other social issue, most people don't have much basis for their opinions other than beliefs and values steeped in misunderstanding. Elliott Currie writes with the view that we must redefine our view of the criminal justice system, their purpose, and how our nation struggles with violence. The design of it all, he argues, is out of whack. Locking large numbers of people into cells and then releasing them without having addressed the underlying reasons why they got there in the first place is no solution. Currie brings in much statistical data, which can make the first two chapters slow, but it is necessary. You can't take social "science" seriously without such data. He ends on a more philosophical note, but in between, he creates a well structured critique of America's crime situation.

First, he wonders about prisons. Are we soft on crime? Does prison work? And do prisons pay back in prevented crimes what they cost? Then he suggests that there are alternatives to incarceration alone, and discusses methods of prevention. He also discusses crime as a social phenomenon, and economic factors that create favorable settings for crime. And finally, he suggests that our view of the justice system itself must be revised, that decreasing violence should be a priority above punishment.

Having sat in on Elliott Currie's "Crime and Criminal Justice" class at UC Berkeley, I found myself wanting a little more from the book. His class was more extensive and covered other issues like gun control, the death penalty, how to get and interpret data on crime, etc. But this is not a textbook on crime. It is Currie's plea that we all take responsibility for the lives of many who are young and live marginal existences, who suffer abuses and desperate conditions. We provide them with the social service of incarceration and hope to be rid of their disagreeable behavior. Is this what we really want? Even if your views on crime are more conservative than Currie's, he provides an argument that is intellectual and passionate, and you may at least wonder if he has a point.

Rating:
Summary: Critical Thinking Book Review
Review: This book is truly one of the better books discussing the problems with our punishment in America. Elliott Currie does not go directly into the book explaining his argument outright. The first two paragraphs describe the arguments as to why the "Prison Experiment" is and was a good idea, and after each argument for, he details why those specific arguments are flawed. The last three chapters of his book explain his argument for an alternative to our social crisis in a logical and reasonable manner.
Mr. Currie's argument in the last part of the book is that there are many alternatives to imprisoning our entire population that commits a crime. He states that the justice system as we have it right now is so completely focused on being a punitive system that it has ignored its potential to be a preventative system. His premise here is completely true and correct. He believes that our system should be focusing on rehabilitating our criminals and juveniles rather than putting them away and "assuming" they will be okay when they get out. This argument is also deductively valid because the conclusion would follow necessarily from the premise. If we focus on rehabilitating, the population would be extremely less likely to commit crimes because it would give people an alternative. Elliott Currie's book is also good because he commits no logical fallicies. He does a good job detailing the reasons why his argument is valid. He suggests anger management programs, drug treatment programs, more schooling, and stricter aftercare for paroled men and women. All of these programs would seem to logically reduce crime greatly once an inmate was paroled.
In conclusion, Elliot Currie offers an excellent argument as to an alternative to our "prison experiment." He clearly explains the reasons as to why his argument is valid and he gives a multitude of reasons as to why the arguments for the "prison experiment" are wrong. It was an excellent book full of good opinions.

Rating:
Summary: Crime and Punishment in America
Review: This book was required reading a sociology class I took and I would recommend it to anyone. The book is easy to read, easy to understand, interesting, and relevent to any member of society. Currie builds a strong thesis as to why our justice system does us little justice, and he offers some valuable suggestions as to how the system could do us more justice. I would especially recomend this book to all voters.