NCJ Number
94176
Date Published
1984
Length
49 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes the character of crime in contemporary Sweden, public policies to control criminality, the causes of crime, and current problems faced by the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The first section discusses the scope and nature of criminality in Sweden, hidden criminality, and how it varies with different types of offenses. Analysis of the more than half a million reported offenses against the penal code in 1980 shows that 68 percent were thefts, 13 percent fraud, 8 percent property damage, 7 percent violent crime, and 4 percent other offenses. This discussion covers regional variations and notes that a very sharp and essentially unbroken increase in reported criminality has occurred over the last 30 years. The booklet examines trends in theft and assault from 1850 to 1980 and comments that numbers of theft, fraud, and property damage cases increased very sharply between 1950 and 1980. A statistical picture of offenders shows that most are relatively young men who commit theft and property damage. Other topics covered include the criminality of foreigners, groups with higher risks of becoming victims, and the economic costs of crime. The review of criminal policy focuses on penal regulations and the control apparatus: the police, courts, and corrections system. Issues explored include treatment for special groups, sorting mechanisms, and recidivism. A review of developments in criminal policy during the 1970's and 1980's focuses on increased societal concern for drug and economic offenses, the exposed position of women before the law with regard to sexual offenses, and criticism of the treatment ideology. The final section examines causal theories of crime trends and constraints which contemporary society places on criminal justice policy reform. Charts and graphs are supplied.