NCJ Number
56776
Journal
Ilanud al Dia Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 16-29
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW OF CRIME AND SOCIAL REACTION TO IT AND OF THE TEACHING OF CRIMINOLOGY IN THE CARIBBEAN WAS PRESENTED AT THE SECOND SEMINAR ON COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY HELD IN COSTA RICA IN 1978.
Abstract
THESE CRIME STATISTICS ARE NOT ENTIRELY RELIABLE, BECAUSE OF DATA COLLECTING DEFICIENCIES AND BECAUSE OF THE OMISSION OF NONTRADITIONAL TYPES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST THE COMMON GOOD, AND CRIMES COMMITTED BY HEADS OF STATE, UPPER ECHELON BUREAUCRATS, AND MEMBERS OF THE POLICE AND MILITARY. ALSO NOT INCLUDED ARE CHILD ABUSE, FORCED STERILIZATION OF WOMEN TO REDUCE THE BIRTHRATE, AND MISTREATMENT OF INMATES. AMONG THE MOST WIDESPREAD CRIME CAUSES IN THE CARIBBEAN AREA ARE STRIKING DIFFERENCES IN LIVING STANDARDS AMONG SOCIAL CLASSES, A DOUBLE STANDARD OF JUSTICE FOR THE DESCENDANTS OF THE WHITE-COLONISTS AND THE NATIVE POPULATIONS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAITS, SUCH AS EXAGGERATED PERSONAL PRIDE, MACHISMO, INDEPENDENCE, AND CONTEMPT FOR MANUAL LABOR AND CONFORMISM. CULTURAL FACTORS ALSO AFFECT CRIME RATES--THE WIDESPREAD ILLITERACY, HIGH BIRTH AND DEATH RATES, MIGRATORY HABITS, CHRONIC POLITICAL INSTABILITY, AND THE PROLIFERATION OF MILITARY DICTATORSHIPS. AREA NATIVES FIND IT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND ORAL LAW CODES (COMMON LAW), SUCH AS ARE USED IN THE BRITISH ANTILLES, THAN THE COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF WRITTEN LAW. JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE TREATED LENIENTLY AND NOT GIVEN PRISON TERMS IN THE CARIBBEAN AS WELL AS IN LATIN AMERICA IN GENERAL. WELL-MEANING JUVENILE TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE JEOPARDIZED BY A LACK OF FUNDING AND TRAINED PERSONNEL, THE LATTER A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN ALL JUVENILE AND ADULT CORRECTIONS. THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS MUST BE STANDARDIZED, SINCE IT NOW FLUCTUATES BETWEEN 12 (FOR SERIOUS CRIMES) AND 21 (IN VENEZUELA). CRIMINAL AND CORRECTIONAL REFORMS ARE NEEDED IN CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES, AS THEY LAG BEHIND LATIN AMERICAN PENAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THAT OF COSTA RICA. INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC CRIMINOLOGICAL CURRICULA MUST BE TAUGHT MORE EXTENSIVELY IN LAW SCHOOLS. EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)