NCJ Number
229062
Date Published
2008
Length
130 pages
Annotation
This handbook - which is a product of the United Nations project on South-South Regional Cooperation for Determining Best Practices for Crime Prevention in the Developing World - recommends practical action for preventing crime in Southern Africa and Caribbean regions, which have suffered greatly from violent crime.
Abstract
This handbook is intended as a reference tool for policymakers within government and collaborating partners, practitioners, community groups, academics, and victims and potential victims of crime. The first chapter provides a general overview of how crime can be prevented, as it discusses why crime occurs and what strategies are effective in preventing crime. This is followed by a chapter that profiles specific programs for crime prevention in the developing world. Chapter 3 presents an overview of crime prevention programs, some projects are suggested for countering criminality. Programs that target various crime causes are reviewed, namely, those that increase disincentives to crime and improve the ability of communities and people to prevent crime, as well as programs that reduce opportunities for crime. Chapter 4 notes the importance of evaluating crime prevention programs in order to determine whether or not they are achieving their intended objectives. Information and evaluation needs are discussed. Chapter 5 discusses the roles of various actors in a comprehensive approach to crime prevention. The actors mentioned include the international community, various governmental levels within a nation, criminal justice professionals, other professional groups, universities, schools, local communities, and the organized nongovernmental sector. A chapter on capacity-building for effective crime prevention addresses the contributions of individuals, organizations, institutions, the state, technology, reform incentives, politicians, development agencies, sentencers, the police, and the community. The remaining two chapters focus on sustaining momentum and activity in ongoing crime prevention efforts and recommendations for immediate action. 81 references and appended discussions of crime context and the effects of crime in developing countries