What effects did prohibition have on lawlessness and crime?

By outlawing the production, sale andpossessionof alcohol, the prohibitionists failed to achieve their aims. Far from reducing the unrulybehavior and 'social diseases' that were seen to stand beside alcohol, theyworsened them.

Prohibition facilitated the development of organized crime, and worsened degree of corruption and a general spike in ensuinglawlessness and criminal activities.

Prohibition brought with it organized crime, which was opportunistic and hoped to exploit the remaining thirst for alcohol. However the emergent gangs would not stop there. Rackets would be set up. Trading in other illicit substances spiked. Shipments of tainted alcohol were stolen and sold,poisoningmany 'speakeasy ' goers.

Corruption amongst abolitionist agents, politicians and Judges was also rife.

Generally, prohibition triggered many problems, and the key issue is that the crimes that branched from them (like rackets or corruption) remained long after prohibition disappeared.

hope that helps