British Journal of Criminology Advance Access originally published online on September 19, 2007
British Journal of Criminology 2007 47(6):885-899; doi:10.1093/bjc/azm040
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The British Journal of Criminology 47:885-899 (2007)
© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (ISTD). All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
ROCK RENTALS
The Social Organization and Interpersonal Dynamics of Crack-for-Cars Transactions in Louisiana, USA
* Correspondence to Heith Copes, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Justice Sciences, 1201 University Boulevard, Suite 210, Birmingham, AL 35294–4562, USA; jhcopes{at}uab.edu
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Participation in street-life structures and creates opportunities for acquiring a cache of illicit goods. While cash is the primary means of obtaining illegal drugs, more innovative hustles have recently emerged. Specifically, one strategy involves individuals exchanging the temporary use of their vehicles for crack cocaine. We use in-depth interviews with 19 inmates and 27 active crack cocaine users to describe the social organization and interpersonal dynamics of this phenomenon, herein referred to as rock rentals. In addition, we examine how the rental contract is structured, vehicle owners' and borrowers' motivations for engaging in the trade and how violations are remedied.