One of the biggest legislative responses to juvenile crime was during the 1970s was when "get tough" laws were enforced. In the early to mid '90s, this initiative reformed state laws which motivated the majority of states to

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Hailie Russo

History

2 August, 16:21

One of the biggest legislative responses to juvenile crime was during the 1970s was when "get tough" laws were enforced. In the early to mid '90s, this initiative reformed state laws which motivated the majority of states to

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Ishaan Tanner · Answer 1

Answer: introduce harsher laws, such as determinate sentencing, mandatory parole systems and mandatory minimum sentences.

The 1970's saw several changes in legislation due to rising crime rates and the desire to appear "tough on crime." States introduced a determinate sentencing structure, which reduced the flexibility judges had to sentence and impose jail time. Some states set up strict guidelines for minimum and maximum sentences. There was also a change in parole structure. Some states implemented mandatory parole systems. These weakened parole boards and meant that inmate releases were now governed by administrative rules. Under this system, inmates found it harder to be released.

By the mid 1980's, the war on drugs became a very publicized issue, so law enforcement agents focused their attention on drugs, using deterrence rather than prevention. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 required harsher mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, and the Contract with America of 1995 solidified this attitude.