NCJ Number
65329
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE STUDY DISCUSSES HOW COMPARATIVE RESEARCH METHODS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE ANALYSIS OF CRIME PROBLEMS AND THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
THE COSTS OF CRIME ARE ENORMOUS WHEN ONLY EXPENDITURES ON LAW, ORDER, AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES ARE CONSIDERED. HIDDEN COSTS ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO MEASURE, BUT INCLUDE THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON THE ENVIRONMENT, VICTIMS, AND THE GENERAL QUALITY OF LIFE. SINCE CRIME IS LIKELY TO INCREASE IN INDUSTRALIZED AREAS, COUNTRIES SHOULD CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES IF RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS FOR CRIME CONTROL WERE ALTERED. IN THE WESTERN WORLD THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF LAW AND ORDER SERVICES IS TO PREVENT AND SUPPRESS CRIME, BUT RECENTLY CRITICS HAVE FOCUSED ON WHAT INTERESTS BENEFIT FROM CRIME CONTROL. THE FAILURE OF THE REHABILITATIVE IDEAL HAS CAUSED CRIMINOLOGISTS TO EMPHASIZE THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE PENAL SYSTEM IS CHANGING BECAUSE OF RISING COSTS, INEFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASED POPULATIONS, AND THE TREND IS TOWARD COMMUNITY BASED INSTITUTIONS. IN REALITY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT SYSTEMATIC AND IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN A RATIONAL MANNER. MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CRIME AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS, POLITICS, AND THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. COMPARATIVE RESEARCH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A REASSESSMENT OF CRIME PROBLEMS BY CONTRASTING SITUATIONS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AT BOTH CURRENT AND HISTORICAL POINTS IN TIME. ALTHOUGH ETHICAL AND POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS COULD INHIBIT SOME RESEARCH, NATIONAL PROBLEMS CAN STILL BE ILLUMINATED BY PLACING THEM IN AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE. EXAMPLES OF SUITABLE SUBJECTS INCLUDE IMMIGRANTS AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. SUCH RESEARCH WOULD BE MORE ANALYTICAL THAN EMPIRICAL, SINCE EXACTLY COMPARABLE INFORMATION IS DIFFICULT TO COLLECT FROM VARIED COUNTRIES AND CULTURES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (MJM)