NCJ Number
171075
Date Published
1997
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Research findings on minorities, crime, victimization, and criminal justice in Sweden are discussed.
Abstract
The analysis notes the nature and history of the welfare state in Sweden and the characteristics of the general population. It notes that 6 million people are between ages 15 and 69 years; these include 5.2 million native Swedes, 0.4 million naturalized Swedes, and 0.4 million domiciled foreign citizens. The two small but officially recognized minority groups are Laplanders and the Finns who live close to the Finnish border. Immigration to Sweden has a long tradition. Annual victimization surveys reveal almost no differences between native Swedish and various immigrant groups in victimization by property crimes. However, immigrants report more often than Swedish citizens that have been victims of violence. Increasing numbers of crimes with racist or xenophobic motives have occurred in recent years. Other studies have indicated that foreign background is only a weak variable for predicting criminal and other antisocial behavior. Immigrant groups are overrepresented in conviction statistics, although these data do not control for social background variables. The overrepresentation has existed for at least 25 years. Discrimination, cultural differences, selective immigration, marginalization, strain, are among the explanations suggested for the differences. Developments in the public debate have not paralleled the developments in criminality. The focus on foreign offenders and more punitive policies began in the 1980s. Public attention has probably increased the polarization of various groups and young people; the climate of confrontation has increased. However, Sweden has not yet experienced the problem with crimes by immigrants and ethnic minorities that other countries have, partly because the relationship between ethnicity and class is still not strong in Sweden. Figures, table, and 49 references