What Arguments Does Currie Use to Refute the Myth That

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Gregg Currie, a criminologist and professor, has not specifically addressed the myth that "only about 100,000 persons convicted of a violent crime went to state prison in 1992" in any of his well-known published works up to my knowledge cutoff in 2023. However, to refute a myth like this, one would typically use arguments based on statistical data, historical context, and an understanding of the criminal justice system. Here's how such a refutation might be structured:

1. **Statistical Data**: The first step in refuting the myth would be to look at the actual data from 1992. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) collects data on state prison admissions. A researcher like Currie would examine these figures to determine the number of people who were admitted to state prisons for violent crimes in that year. If the data showed that the number was significantly higher than 100,000, this would directly refute the myth.

2. **Definitions and Classifications**: It's important to clarify what is meant by "violent crime." Typically, violent crimes include murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Currie would likely examine how these crimes were classified in 1992 and ensure that the myth isn't based on a misunderstanding or misclassification of offenses.

3. **Sentencing Policies**: The early 1990s were a period of significant change in the U.S. criminal justice system, with many states adopting tougher sentencing policies, including "three strikes" laws and mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes. Currie might argue that these policies led to an increase in the number of people being sent to prison for violent offenses, further challenging the accuracy of the myth.

4. **Incarceration Trends**: Currie could look at the broader trends in incarceration rates. The United States saw a substantial increase in its prison population starting in the 1980s and continuing through the 1990s. This trend was partly due to increased incarceration for violent crimes. By presenting this context, Currie could argue that it is unlikely that only 100,000 violent offenders were admitted to state prisons in a single year during this period of rising incarceration rates.

5. **Comparative Analysis**: Another approach might be to compare the 1992 figure with other years. If the number of violent offenders admitted to state prisons was significantly higher in the years immediately before or after 1992, it would suggest that the figure for 1992 is likely inaccurate.

6. **Policy and Legislative Context**: Currie could also examine the legislative context of the time. If there were laws passed that increased the likelihood of imprisonment for violent crimes, this would suggest that the number of violent offenders going to prison would be higher than the myth suggests.

7. **Reporting and Recording Practices**: Finally, Currie might look into how crimes were reported and recorded in 1992. If there were changes in practices that led to more accurate or comprehensive data collection, this could explain discrepancies between the perceived number of violent offenders sent to prison and the actual data.

In summary, while Gregg Currie has not directly addressed this specific myth, the general approach to refuting such a claim would involve a careful analysis of data, consideration of the definitions and classifications of crimes, examination of sentencing policies and trends, and an understanding of the historical and legislative context of the criminal justice system at the time.

What Arguments Does Currie Use to Refute the Myth That

Definitions: