NCJ Number
44938
Date Published
1977
Length
189 pages
Annotation
CRIME AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION IS DISCUSSED FROM A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE; CRIME ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE, THE UNIVERSALITY OF CRIME, AND DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS OF LAW ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE STUDY SPANS THE ENTIRE GLOBE -- NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA, AFRICA, AND EUROPE. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE CAUSES OF CRIME, HOW SOCIETY IS ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL IT, AND MAJOR CHANGES THAT WOULD MAKE THIS ATTEMPT MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL. ONLY THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE DOES THE AUTHOR SEE HOPE OF ACHIEVING THE FOLLOWING GOALS: (1) DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE PREVENTION APPROACHES AND TECHNIQUES IN ORDER THAT CITIZENS BECOME LESS DISPOSED TO COMMITTING CRIMINAL OR DELINQUENT OFFENSES; (2) DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION APPROACHES TO DETER CONVICTED OFFENDERS FROM COMMITTING FUTURE CRIMINAL OR DELINQUENT OFFENSES; (3) IMPROVE CRIME CONTROL MECHANISMS AND PROCEDURES TO IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND OFFENDERS; (4) IMPROVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON AND APPRAISAL OF ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DEFINED AS ILLEGAL IN SOME COUNTRIES, BUT NOT IN OTHERS; (5) IMPROVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON OF SUCH FACTORS AS JUDICIAL PROCEDURES, LEGAL RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED, ARREST PROCEDURES, EFFECTS OF VARYING OR CONTRADICTING PENALTIES BETWEEN COUNTRIES FOR SIMILAR OFFENSES (SUCH AS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT), AND LAW ENFORCEMENT METHODS FOR SURVEILLANCE (SUCH AS ELECTRONIC 'BUGGING' OR EAVESDROPPING); (6) CONSIDER NEW INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO CONTROL SUCH CRIMINAL ENDEAVORS AS DRUG TRAFFIC, BLACKMARKET ACTIVITIES, AIRLINE HIJACKING, SMUGGLING, ASSASSINATIONS BY FOREIGN ATTACKERS, HARBORING OF DANGEROUS FUGITIVES, (PIRACY, WAR CRIMES, AND ART TREASURE THEFTS; AND (7) EXAMINE PRAGMATICALLY THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICABILITY OF CRIMINAL THEORIES AND DELINQUENCY CAUSATION WHICH MIGHT MAKE THEM PRACTICABLE AND WHICH WOULD LEND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEWER AND MORE USABLE THEORIES. THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS VARIABLES TO BE EXAMINED IN THE CROSS-CULTURAL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS. THE APPENDIX PRESENTS A REPORT ON A SERIES OF STUDIES CONCERNING THE PERCEPTUAL EVALUATIONS OF INMATES, SECURITY GUARDS, POLICE, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.