The Real War on Crime

"The Real War on Crime" by Donziger (1996) presents the authors view of what is really going on with regard to crime in the United States. The author notes a number of criticisms about the criminal justice system.

To begin with Donziger points out that there is confusion about crime data with a lack of agreement, which results in an inability to determine how to create a safe society. Crime rates do not tell the whole story. For example while it is reported that crime rates are rising, it would be more accurate to state that crime rates are stable but what is changing is the nature of criminal violence. Due to increased prevalence of firearms, young males are at high risk of being killed. Differing measures of crime also add to the confusion. The Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) is based on arrest information and is viewed to exaggerate crime rates; the Victimization Survey (NCVS) is considered more accurate. Another point to consider is that while crime rates in America may remain, most of the crime is not violent, a distinction viewed by the author as being critical when understanding crime and the criminal justice system.

Donziger stated that an additional problem found within the system is that there is no cabinet official in charge of national crime policy; each state legislature determines its own crime policy. An example of a policy that Donziger considers untested and disastrous is the "Three Strikes and You're Out" legislation.

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e. The recommendation that criminal justice spending must be cost-effective is a sound one, however it is unclear how a fiscal impact statement would help to eliminate the fear-based policies that are driving the spending in the first place. More than a simple going over the books will be required to change policy. On the other hand, an impact statement would help eliminate expensive outcomes as have been caused by the "three strike" law. The recommendation that racial and ethnic biases be eliminated within the criminal justice system, and the thought that a racial impact statement would suffice, is interesting. Donziger states that this would for example, eliminate mandatory sentences for drug offences until they are enforced among all races. Regardless of criminal justice policy, it seems unlikely that racial bias will be eliminated that easily. Reaction to Donziger's Book Donziger presents an interesting portrayal of the criminal justice system and its faults. While I agree with his critique overall, I also think that his ideas lean toward the ideal rather than the practical. The effort to eliminate crime is widespread, to include professionals outside the criminal justice system; I don't agree that society looks

Category: Government - T