NCJ Number
131317
Date Published
1990
Length
85 pages
Annotation
An overview of the crime situation in Denmark indicates that the Danish Criminal Code is based on preventive concepts and that the number of criminal cases roughly doubled from 250,000 in 1970 to 538,000 in 1989.
Abstract
The Danish correctional system is based on three punishment types: ordinary imprisonment, lenient imprisonment, and fines. Imprisonment may be meted out with fixed sentences ranging from 30 days to 16 years or life and lenient sentences ranging from 7 days to 6 months. The structure of prosecution is hierarchical; political responsibility rests with the Minister of Justice, but in practice the Director of Public Prosecution enjoys a high degree of independence. The tribunal system consists of about 100 district courts, 2 high courts, and 1 supreme court. The total correctional service consists of the Department of Prisons and Probation, 16 State prisons, 41 local gaols, 34 local probation and aftercare districts, and 8 halfway houses. The correctional service controls State prisons and institutions for inmates who need psychiatric treatment. Property crimes accounted for 55.5 percent of reported criminal offenses in 1989. Only 2.5 percent of all crimes involved sex offenses, robbery, or assault and battery. Almost all inmates are men between 20 and 24 years of age. Danish prisons are discussed in terms of inmate background, open versus closed prisons, work, education and training, social welfare, leisure time and religious activities, health services, visitation, disciplinary measures, and escapes. Descriptions of the 10 open and 6 closed prisons are provided. 46 illustrations and photographs