Contains selections from magazine articles, speeches, books, and other sources examining the issue of crime and criminals in the United States.
Content Note
What causes crime? Poverty causes crime / George Winslow -- Poverty does not cause crime / Eli Lehrer -- Media violence causes violent crime / Daphne Lavers -- The role of media violence in violent crime has been exaggerated / Maggie Cutler -- Drug abuse causes crime / Dan P. Alsobrooks -- The war on drugs exacerbates America's crime problem / The Sentencing Project. Does controlling guns control crime? Gun control laws can reduce violent crime / Garen Wintemute -- Most gun control laws are ineffective / James B. Jacobs -- Gun ownership reduces crime / John R. Lott Jr. -- Gun ownership increases crime / Steven Riczo. How should the criminal justice system be reformed? America's prison system needs to be reformed / The Economist -- America's prison system is effective at controlling crime / Jeff Jacoby -- Law enforcement agencies should eliminate racial profiling / James B. Forman Jr. -- Racial profiling is a myth / Heather MacDonald -- Juvenile offenders should not be treated as adults / Patrick T. McCormick -- Some juvenile offenders should be treated as adults / Christine Stolha. How can crime be reduced? The death penalty deters murder / William Tucker -- The death penalty does not deter murder / Nat Hentoff -- Crime policies should emphasize strict policing and strong punishment / Karl Zinsmeister -- Crime policies should emphasize prevention over punishment / Gene Stephens.