Immigrants, Crime, and Criminal Justice in Switzerland (From Ethnicity, Crime, and Immigration: Comparative and Cross-National Perspectives, P 375-405, 1997, Michael Tonry, ed. - See NCJ-165170)

• NCJ Number: 165177
• Author(s): M Killias
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 31 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics International Crime Statistics Program

Annotation

Research on the involvement of immigrants in crime in Switzerland and on the response of the criminal justice system is reviewed.

Abstract

The analysis revealed that Switzerland is among the European countries with the largest foreign population and the longest tradition. Immigrants were not overrepresented in official crime statistics for many decades. However, the proportion of non-Swiss offenders has increased substantially more recently, but more for nonresident and often illegal aliens than for legal residents. Victims' accounts of offenders' characteristics also confirm the disproportionate crime involvement of immigrants, particularly in violent crime. However, disparity in victims' reporting decisions has not occurred, nor have major disparities in prosecution, sentencing, or time served. In addition, immigrants are not disproportionately victimized, and their attitudes toward police and criminal justice are more positive than are those of Swiss participants in studies. Nevertheless, certain groups have higher offending and victimization rates than others. Cultural factors, socioeconomic status, and social integration may account for these differences. Figures, tables, and 54 references (Author abstract modified)