NCJ Number
242441
Editor(s)
Michael Tonry,
Tapio Lappi-Seppala
Date Published
2011
Length
683 pages
Annotation
This book, volume 40 in the series on "Crime and Justice: A Review of Research," presents the first comprehensive account in English of the Scandinavian (Nordic) criminal justice systems, explaining why they are as they are, how they are different from other countries' systems, and how they are changing.
Abstract
The volume addresses criminal justice issues in all five Scandinavian countries, i.e., Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. The introductory essay presents background information for 10 more detailed essays that follow. The introductory essay addresses the historical, cultural, social, and political contexts for the countries' criminal justice systems. "Punishment and Crime in Scandinavia, 1750-2008" discusses how data on crime and punishment in the Nordic countries can be used by historians and criminologists. "Homicide in Finland and Sweden" presents an overview and comparison of sociological and historical homicide research in Finland and Sweden the last few decades. "Nordic Youth Justice" reviews the history and ideological evolution of Nordic policy toward young offenders. "Policing the North" examines the influence of the Nordic welfare model on policing in these countries, with attention to organization, practice, and police subculture. "Sentencing Theory, Policy, and Research in the Nordic Countries" reviews the content and implementation of sentencing laws in Scandinavian countries. "Delinquency Research in the Nordic Countries" reviews selected studies on the social causes of delinquent behavior. "Is There a Nordic Prostitution Regime?" describes and compares the Nordic countries' laws and policies for managing prostitution. "Organized Crime the Nordic Way" reviews organized crime's characteristics in Nordic countries. "The Emergence of the Crime Victim: Sweden in a Scandinavian Context" addresses Sweden's crime-victim services. The concluding essay touts Nordic crime data as an "untapped" source for criminological knowledge. Essay references and a subject index