THE CRIME OF PUNISHMENT

This is ""only a pamphlet written by a pamphleteer, not a criminologist."" Dr. Menninger says toward the close of his book, written to stir citizens hopefully to a sense of mission regarding the conception and treatment of offenders against the law and society. ""We are not being protected by a system that attacks 'criminals' as if they were the embodiment of evil,"" he contends, indeed considers the very term ""criminal"" detrimental to rehabilitation. Dr. Menninger deals with the medical-therapeutic versus the legal-punitive approach to the offender, naturally espouses the former and offers case upon case to show that punishment does not pay (the offender or society), that offenders are operating from internal stress which will recur unless treated, that often they know they need help, beg for it. He explores the nature of violence, and vengeance, notes improvements and projects and suggests more crime prevention centers, public relations for police, citizens as ""consumers of justice."" Dr. Menninger sounds an alarm and his name assures a hearing.