NCJ Number
84364
Date Published
Unknown
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This study of homicide in Cuba covers (1) homicide law and the criminal justice system, (2) victimization rates, (3) correlates of the homicide event and victim and offender characteristics, and (4) the Cuban view of the etiology of homicide, with comparisons made to the United States.
Abstract
The Cuban Penal Code delineates two categories of homicide (in American terms, criminal homicide): (1) 'simple homicide,' which involves the taking of another's life, with the requisite intent and the act being the proximate cause of death, and (2) 'aggravated homicide,' which applies when one of a list of aggravating factors is present. 'Simple homicide' carries a penalty of 7-15 years imprisonment, and 'aggravated homicide' carries incarceration for 15-20 years or death, although death sentences are rarely imposed. Plea bargaining in the Cuban criminal justice system is discouraged, if not prohibited, since the crime must be proven independently of the accused's statements. Acquittal rates are fairly high, and the penalties imposed are low in comparison to the maximum allowed. Homicide rates can be obtained from medical authorities and police agencies. There is a wide variation in the homicide data obtained from these sources. The homicide rates per 100,000 population ranged from 15.5 percent in 1959 to 10.3 percent in 1963, while falling to 6.2 percent in 1964 and rising to 7.2 percent in 1971 (health statistics). The police rates are somewhat higher. Aside from age and sex rates found in the United Nations publications, there are few data on the correlates of homicide in Cuba. From the Cuban perspective the etiology of homicide is either in the psychological deficiencies of the offender or the offender's failure to adopt socialist attitudes (remnants of capitalism). Tabular data and 52 footnotes are provided.