NCJ Number
131446
Date Published
1990
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The relationship between development and crime in Latin America is examined with emphasis on implications for possible crime prevention and crime control strategies.
Abstract
Conventional crimes and new forms of crime have both increased in Latin America. Property crime accounts for almost 60 percent of crime and can be explained by the theory of deprivation and Merton's theory of differential access to legitimate means. In addition, transnational companies are involved in much nonconventional crime in developing countries including fraudulent bankruptcy, tax evasion, illegal flight of foreign currency, environmental damage, and dangerous activities. Drug trafficking is also a serious problem. Strategies to address crime should focus on eliminating economic deprivation, using alternatives to institutionalization of offenders, strengthening of penalties for economic crimes committed by business corporations, and ensuring the certainty of penalties for violations of human rights. Figure and reference notes