Laura L. Finley - Crime and Punishment in America: An Encyclopedia of Trends and Controversies in the Justice System [2 Volumes]

Crime and Punishment in America

Crime and
Punishment in
America

An Encyclopedia of Trends and
Controversies in the Justice System

Volume 1: AM

LAURA L. FINLEY, EDITOR

Copyright 2017 by ABC-CLIO, LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Finley, Laura L., editor.

Title: Crime and punishment in America : an encyclopedia of trends and controversies in the justice system / Laura L. Finley, editor.

Description: Santa Barbara, California : ABC-CLIO, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016014822 | ISBN 9781610699273 (set : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781440846403 (volume 1 : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781440846410 (volume 2 : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781610699280 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Criminal justice, Administration ofUnited States. | CrimeUnited States.

Classification: LCC HV9950 .C7295 2017 | DDC 364.973dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016014822

ISBN: 978-1-61069-927-3 (set)

ISBN: 978-1-4408-4640-3 (vol. 1)

ISBN: 978-1-4408-4641-0 (vol. 2)

EISBN: 978-1-61069-928-0 (set)

21 20 19 18 17 1 2 3 4 5

This book is also available as an eBook.

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This book is printed on acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America

Contents

Preface

This two-volume set is intended to help readers better understand the scope and extent of crime in the United States, what types of crime occur most frequently, who is most often victimized and who perpetrates which offenses, the effects of crime on individuals and communities, and how best to respond to various offenses. Further, the entries in this volume help separate myths from realities as they uncover the origins and effectiveness of various policies and practices within the criminal justice system and other institutions that play a role in addressing crime.

Because crime is an interdisciplinary issue, this set, authored by experts in criminology, sociology, philosophy, political science, peace and justice studies, and more, should be useful to readers in a variety of areas. Entries include the most current data available and examine both sides of controversial issues, policies, and practices, allowing readers to be deeply informed but to still draw their own conclusions. Each entry includes cross-references so that interested readers can easily find pieces about related issues. Further, each entry includes an extensive list of further readings for more detailed exploration. Finally, the volume includes an appendix that lists recommended books, journals, documentary films, and organizations.

One of the most important things for criminologists and for practitioners in the criminal justice, health care, and other systems is to explain crime. Entries in this set address various theoretical positions, highlighting their basic tenets as well as assessing research support and any associated controversies. Choice-related theories as well as biological explanations for crime, the effect of lead exposure, and other related ideas are explored throughout this set.

Given that an estimated one-third of the worlds women will endure an abusive relationship, several entries in this set address domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition to providing accurate data on the frequency of these offenses, entries also address the many dangerous misconceptions about them and critique various policies and practices, such as rape shield laws, batterers intervention programs, and the Violence Against Women Act.

Although street crime deserves academic and practitioner attention, so too does white-collar crime and offenses committed by elites. Yet these still receive less focus, especially those perpetrated by states. Data shows that these offenses occur with greater frequency, are more costly, and may do greater damage than all street crime combined. Entries in this set discuss corporate crimes, prosecuting white-collar offenders, war crimes, state crime, human rights, and other related issues. Likewise, entries on socioeconomics and crime and access to competent counsel, for instance, help readers better understand the connection of social class to crime.

Entries in this set explore the criminal victimization and perpetration of persons with disabilities and the mentally ill as well as their treatment in prison. As increased attention has been focused on the ways that solitary confinement and torture have long-term mental effects, entries herein grapple with those issues.

Since the 1990s, school violence has been an issue of great concern. Entries are included to address profiling school shooters, search and seizure in schools, the school-to-prison pipeline, and more, all with an eye toward a better understanding of the motives of those who perpetrate crime in schools and the pros and cons of various educational and legal approaches to addressing them.

While the goal of this encyclopedia is to offer a big-picture approach to the most important and intriguing topics in crime and criminal justice, it is also important to pay attention to significant high-profile cases that have captured national and even international attention. For instance, the trial of Casey Anthony, who was accused of killing her child, prompted much analysis among pundits, scholars, and citizens alike. Similarly, the trials and sentences of Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu-Jamal, the West Memphis Three, the Angola Three, and other groups shed light not only on various offenses but also on the fundamental fairness of the U.S. criminal justice system.

Entries in this set help readers understand some of the most hotly debated questions about race and the criminal justice system by examining such issues as how drug laws, racial profiling, and stop-and-frisk searches disproportionately affect people of color. This set includes an entry about the trial of George Zimmerman for shooting African American teen Trayvon Martin, a case that prompted deep debate about racial tensions and stand-your-ground laws. Entries also discuss police-perpetrated shootings, excessive use of force, and other related issues.

These volumes include entries about police corruption and torture more broadly as well as in specific cases. Included are discussions about the challenges involved in eyewitness identification through police lineups as well as other controversial data collection tactics. Entries further address scandals in crime labs and subsequent efforts to exonerate offenders found to have been wrongly convicted due to flawed data or testimony.

Additionally, personal reflections by scholars, advocates, and activists are included to help readers learn about campaigns, organizations, and individual efforts to help crime victims, challenge unjust policies and practices, and promote a more peaceful world. Personal reflections focus on responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking; assessing U.S. involvement in unjust wars; advocating for greater resources for ex-offenders; supporting the transgender community; ending the school-to-prison pipeline; mentoring youth; and using peace education as a method of crime prevention. These interesting reflections will leave readers both informed and inspired.