Poor Economy drives people away from crime

So it's a statewide phenomenon?

I thought you meant it was only in the Springs.  That's quite a drop in new prisoners:  from 109 per month statewide to 12.

Of course, I assume that the Dept of Corrections person is supportive of Ritter's policies, so she asserts the drop is due to increased parole officers, more judges, a drop in recidivism, and probably community service (although that's not mentioned, I think).  But really, in a down economy, isn't this unusual?

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by: dmindgo @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 13:56:04 PM CDT

very interesting

the average daily population has decreased in other metro and county jails too, but jails on the Eastern plains and some in the mountains continue to have room and are always looking for DOC transfers or transfers from other counties.

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by: Car 31 @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 15:06:33 PM CDT

I'm Sorry Barron

But I think that your headline is incredibly misleading.  There is no mention in the Gazette article that the economy is seen as a factor in this decline.  Especially since historically, crime increases as the economy recedes (a phenomenon being reported in states like NY, which is on track for a record number of bank robberies).

I think the bigger story here is that much of the Prison reform implemented by Governor Ritter is working, and admirable.  With his ever shrinking approval ratings, he should jump on these numbers and trumpet them far and wide.  The people of Colorado need to think that he's done something.

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by: Justin.Henceroth@gmail.com @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 15:53:19 PM CDT

Love to see you on the front page Barron X

I think it's an interesting correlation you brought up here. The conventional wisdom says that in a down economy there should be more people in jail because they're resorting to crime as a means to support themselves. It's certainly not scientific by any means, but it seems like despite the down economy, there are fewer prisoners in jail in the Springs.

The fact is that crime rates have fallen fairly steadily since the 1980s. There was an interesting Time article from January that discussed in more detail.

But still, with over a 7.6% statewide unemployment rate right now, you'd think there would be an increase in crime--which would probably result in more people in jail.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

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by: redstateblues @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 16:30:07 PM CDT

Correction

that Time article is from January of 2008.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

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by: redstateblues @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 16:31:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Is it my imagination, or have we seen an inordinate number of bank robberies lately?

Still, it's always nice to see crime drop.

Hopefully, that what these stats mean, rather than an inability to enforce laws due to budget cuts.

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by: ajb @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 17:03:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Does not compute, Barron

When times are tough, crime (and abortions) increase.  Why the jail is sort of empty has to be due to something else.  Like maybe no sheriffs to find criminals due to budget cuts?  

"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd." -Bertrand Russell

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by: parsingreality @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 16:44:05 PM CDT

Parsing and Justin Henceroth,

.
The misleading header is because I couldn't figure this out.  It was contradicting my preconceived notions.  The header is a simplification of my effort to see a cause-and-effect relationship, one that I now see wasn't there.  
Until I saw Justin & DMindgo's replies, I didn't realize this resulted from specific Ritter policies.
.

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by: Barron X @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 20:10:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Still, crime is down

Today's Post says that crime in the state is down, excepting "sex" crimes (i.e. rape, sexual assault, molestation...)

Don't know why - it goes contrary to the norm.

"I have come to the conclusion that the making of laws is like the making of sausages-the less you know about the process the more you respect the result."  -- Anonymous IL State Rep. circa 1878

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by: Phoenix Rising @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 20:49:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Crime Down?

The plural of 'anecdote' is not 'data', but in my experience crime is up, not down.  I'm working in loss prevention for now and the number of shoplifters seems to be up.  When were the numbers reported for?

Matthew

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by: MtSherman @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 13:16:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Looks like 2008...

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_1...

(Easy enough to find online.)

So you may very well be seeing an increase, currently. At least locally.

By the way, do you guys maintain your own data base of fingerprints like Target does? Your own national crime lab? Really good article in the New Yorker last year. This is just an abstract, but you can register to read the rest or look it up at the library:

http://www.newyorker.com/repor...

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by: Canines @ Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 19:30:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]