Donald Cressey's "The Functions and Structure of Criminal Syndicates" -- Still Relevant?

• In Event: IASOC Presents the Mark Haller Memorial Panel: A Look Back at the 1967 Organized Crime Task Force Report

Abstract

Donald Cressey’s report for the Organized Crime Task Force of the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, published in 1967, subsequently became the basis for his book Theft of the Nation (1969, 2008). Mindful of the premise of being cautious when applying contemporary standards and sources to historical works, in this paper, I will look at Donald Cressey’s description and explanation of organized crime as set out in his consultant report and subsequent book. In particular, I will focus on the bases for and the sources used for his explanatory model. I will then review some of the criticisms of Cressey’s work and his conclusions. Finally, I will assess the degree to which his contributions to our understanding of organized crime remain currently relevant.

Author

• James Finckenauer, Rutgers University