NCJ Number
81974
Date Published
Unknown
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Statistics are presented to dispel commonly held misconceptions about crime in Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Most of the statistics used come from 'Justice Statistics Ontario 1980.' Between 1975 and 1979, Ontario's crime rate increased an average of about 4 percent yearly or 6 percent for the 6 years, an increase not indicative of uncontrolled upward trends in crime. Ontario's crime rates, while higher than those of the Eastern Provinces, have been lower than those in the Western Provinces. Violent offenses have composed a small proportion of total crime, and there is evidence that this proportion has decreased over the last decade. Violent crime rates tend to be higher in the more populated areas, while the opposite is true for property offenses. The homicide rate has changed little since 1976, and the rate has been consistently lower than the national average. The clearance rate has remained about constant at 52 percent over the past few years. Over the last 4 years, females charged with offenses have remained at about 12 percent. The most crime-prone age group is 19-24. During 1979-80 fiscal year, about 3,800 volunteers were involved in various correctional programs, with two-thirds providing work in institutions and one-third assisting in probation and parole services. The number of inmates released on temporary pass has increased about 30 percent from 1976 to 1980. The program's success rate has consistently been over 96 percent. Of some 54,200 persons who completed their sentences during 1978, slightly over 42 percent recidivated by the end of 1979. In fiscal 1977-78, Ontario spent $100 per capita on criminal justice. Graphic data are provided, and the procedure for obtaining crime data is described.