NCJ Number
16036
Date Published
1974
Length
150 pages
Annotation
PROCEEDINGS, CONTRIBUTIONS, AND DISCUSSIONS AT A MEETING OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPECIALISTS HELD BY THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR CRIME PROBLEMS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE.
Abstract
THE COLLOQUIUM WAS HELD IN STRASBOURG, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER, 1973. IT INCLUDED A REPORT ON THE PLANNING, BUDGETING, AND EVALUATION OF POLICE WORK IN THE SWEDISH SYSTEM. THE REPORT EMPHASIZED THE COORDINATION OF PLANNING EFFORTS BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES, AND NOTED THE DIFFICULTY IN QUANTIFYING AND EVALUATING SUCH NOTIONS AS THE ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF RESPECT FOR LAW, THE PUBLIC SENSE OF SECURITY, AND CRIME PREVENTION IN GENERAL. THE COLLOQUIUM ALSO INCLUDED A REPORT ON THE METHODS USED TO EVALUATE REHABILITATION AND TREATMENT EFFORTS. IT CITED EVALUATIONS CARRIED OUT IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES WHICH FOUND NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS AND THE RESULTS OF CERTAIN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT SUCH EVALUATIONS HAVE CHARACTERISTICALLY CONCENTRATED ON THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TREATMENT - USUALLY TO LOWER RECIDIVISM - AND NEGLECTED THE STUDY OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS ITSELF. THE REPORT FURTHER CONCLUDED THAT THIS WAS A RESULT OF AN INAPPROPRIATE MEDICAL VIEW OF PENAL TREATMENT WHICH ASSUMES THAT THE CURE OF THE OFFENDER IS THE IMPORTANT TASK, AND THAT THE NATURE OF THE TREATMENT IS RELATIVELY EASY TO UNDERSTAND. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS EVALUATIONS WHICH COMPARE PENAL MEASURES WITH RESPECT TO THEIR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COSTS, THEIR CAPACITY FOR GENERAL DETERRENCE, THE PROTECTION AFFORDED TO THE PUBLIC FROM THE ACTIVITIES OF KNOWN CRIMINALS, AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY SATISFY REQUIREMENTS OF JUSTICE AND HUMANITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)