Michaela Giesecke

Mrs. Tranel
English IV/ 4
19 October 2015
Crime and its Impacts on America
In 1992, 6.6 million victimizations in the U.S. were reported and the crime rate
has only increased since (Pye-Smith). Crime can be placed into many different
categories, varying from personal crimes such as assault, battery or rape to property
crimes including robbery or arson (Anderson and Jackson). What causes these kinds of
traumatic incidents is in question, specifically the social aspect and the affect the outside
world has on crime. Not only is crime occurring at a distressing rate, it consequently has
enduring financial and emotional effects on communities and on the nation. Crime is a
cause and effect industry, but our nation can actively work together to discover solutions
and fix this costly problem.
The costs of crime have almost as much impact as the crime themselves. These
effects leave communities with rips and tears that people have to work to repair
financially. Federal prison populations are rapidly increasing. From 1980 to 2008, the
number of people incarcerated in America increased from roughly 500,000 to 2.3 million
people. With these overcrowded prisons, federal officials need to rethink their approach
to the penal system. Petty crimes can send people to prison for several years and racial
discrimination in the criminal justice system penalizes minorities in harsher ways than
necessary. These examples are just some of the few that account for the reason our
prisons are too crowded (Anderson and Jackson). The cost of crime on our country is

devastating. The Government funds jails, courts, programs, medical treatments and
salaries that add up to an average cost of 1.7 trillion dollars annually (Lykken).
Crime can also cost families on a personal scale. The influence of a father figures
criminality has great effects on children of both genders, especially boys. The more
severe the case of criminality in a parent, the more likely a child will follow in their
footsteps. According to research, there are several factors that define the reasoning behind
intergenerational transmission of criminality. Each generation may have experienced
various risk factors including poverty, teenage parenting or living in unhealthy
environments that cause criminal behavior. Also, children exposed to criminal actions
demonstrated by their parents are more likely to model those behaviors. Only 13% of
juvenile inmates grew up in married couple homes according to the 1984 study of
Wisconsin juvenile delinquents (Nazaryan). 23% of children whose father has served
time in prison have either been suspended or expelled from school. Incarceration of
parental figures is consistent with high dropout rates, low academic success and a very
likely chance of involvement in crime (Rothstein).
The costs of crime also make way for emotional suffering. Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) is now severely affecting victims of crime without proper emotional
support. Symptoms for this disorder include trouble with sleeping/nightmares, extreme
anxiety and tension, non-responsiveness, isolated feelings and trouble with memory.
Secondary injuries are other effects on victims that can occur during the aftermath of
the crime. These types of injuries are apparent when the proper emotional support and
care is not received. Family, friends and even professionals can inflict these types of
injuries without even realizing it. Victims need proper care to emotionally stabilize after

being subject to a crime. It is a lengthy road to recovery and emotional trauma leaves
scars (Rothstein).
Now the question arises of what exactly causes these effects. There are
different aspects of criminals that can be examined, both mentally and socially. Instability
of environment is one major example of social effects on criminals. Growing up in ghetto
parts of town possibly exposes both children and adults to a violent lifestyle. Often times
ghettos are comprised of gangs and other dangerous groups. This kind of environment
is a pathway to experimenting with criminal activity. This goes hand in hand with the
concept of urbanization. In congested areas, residents tend to be very different from one
another. A heterogeneity of cultures, beliefs and behaviors crowd the homes of big cities.
This leads to increased criminalization due to the variance (Causes of Crime: JRank).
Another major theme occurring among criminals is poverty. Where you find poverty is
also where you find crime. Studies show that unemployed individuals or those with little
income turn to crime if they believe that the benefits of the outcome outweigh the
possible repercussions of the crime. So, poorer people are more likely to commit crimes.
Normally after people get out of jail, they have no source of income and virtually nothing
to support themselves with. This means that people previously incarcerated are also more
likely to again engage in criminal activity (Causes of Crime: Education). There is also a
way to identify causes of crime on the other side of the spectrum, crime committed on
poorer communities. According to statistics, a single mother household is more likely to
be victimized by crime. Also, poor members of racial minorities are possibly less
protected by police, therefore more susceptible to becoming victims of crime. These
statistics are believable based on the fact that richer people, or people with a greater

income, are more likely able to afford security systems. These kinds of neighborhoods are
also generally located in nicer areas that are involved in less crime (Lieberman and
Larner).
Psychologically, crime can be committed for an array of reasons. To some, crime
can be mentally rewarding. Crime brings greater admiration in the eyes of criminals.
Some people are adrenaline junkies, blaming acts of crime on excitement or a quick
moment of opportunity. This accounts for impulsive crimes, or even crimes committed
out of peer pressure (Holsinger). Other individuals are found breaking the law solely for
material gain. This is commonly noted in property crimes such as robberies or petty theft.
Other reasons for committing crimes may include greed, anger, jealousy revenge or pride.
These emotions may result in premeditated crimes that increase gain and decrease risk.
But in the deepest psychological realm, desire for control is found. These account for
most violent crimes. Criminals find pleasure in controlling their victims of murder,
assault and/or rape (Causes of Crime: JRank).
Analyzing the causes and effects of crime leaves space to question what both law
enforcement and the government should do now to protect individuals. Penalties for
crimes are obvious forms of punishment. These include serving time in prison or being
released on probation or parole. Many crimes result in mandatory minimum prison
sentences. Capital felonies, for example, have a mandatory minimum sentence of life in
prison or execution. Examples of these types of crimes include first-degree murder with
an aggravating factor and kidnapping resulting in death, yet each state has its own
definition of capital felonies. Home invasion has a mandatory minimum sentence of ten
years and a maximum of 25. Driving during license suspension for a DUI may result in a

minimum of thirty days in prison and a maximum of one year (Parks). On the other hand,
both probation and parole are defined as alternatives to incarceration. Although probation
is more commonly prior to or instead of jail time, whereas parole means being released
from jail early on specific terms under close supervision (Pye-Smith).
Although penalties and punishments for crime are heavily enforced and ensure
that dangerous people are tried for their crimes, there are also ways to prevent crime
entirely. Basic education, programs and classes can be made available to the general
public concerning crime and its prevention (Lykken). Educating people on the costs of
crime both financially and emotionally could genuinely make an impact on future crime
rates. Creating more jobs in America can also make a difference in people living with
poverty that have no way to support themselves. These people believe the only way to
support themselves without a steady income is involving themselves in criminal behavior
(Causes of Crime: Education). There are a number of ways individuals can begin to
engage in preventing crime in our country, so kick starting these programs and classes is
an idea that could make a difference.
Crime is inescapable, no matter where you go. The effects it leaves on
communities and individuals themselves, is devastating and traumatizing. What causes
these effects ranges from personal gain, to battling emotions and social circumstances.
Crime is a cause and effect industry, but our nation can actively work together to discover
solutions and fix this costly problem.

Works cited

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