The distinguished European criminologists Lombroso, Ferri, Garofalo, Aschaffenburg, and others have usually couched their suggestions for crime-preventive activity in general terms. For example, Aschaffenburg says: "Every measure that helps to make the people physically, mentally, and economically healthier is a weapon in the struggle against the world of crime." Ferri, though somewhat more concrete, was still concerned with general reforms, suggesting, for example, a number of "penal substitutes," such as free trade, freedom of emigration, reduction in the consumption of alcohol, reduction in hours of labor, and the like. Socialistic criminologists, convinced that practically all crime is due to the private-profit system, insist that crime would virtually disappear under a socialistic regime. On the other hand, eugenists contend that most crime can be wiped out by eugenical measures. While there is some truth in both these points of view, analysis of thousands of criminal careers must force upon the careful student of crime in America a skeptical eclecticism and an experimental attitude. (TORI DeANGELIS, 2001)
The following is a summary of some of the programs that appear to govern crime preventive work in the United States:
- Crime-prevention programs should take into account the evidence that most criminals show definite antisocial tendencies of attitude and behavior early in childhood. The views of Fulton, Hopkins, Keltner, Lossing, Reynolds, and Thompson may be cited as illustrations. This principle stated implies that crime-prevention programs should function as early as possible in the careers of children. They should operate as far "up stream as possible.
In most instances, children should be kept away from the typical contacts with police stations, courts, and correctional institutions until more scientific and sympathetic efforts have failed. The respect and dignity of the court should be maintained by a reputation that court action is something, which should be.......
