NCJ Number
131167
Editor(s)
J Vigh
Date Published
1985
Length
453 pages
Annotation
This report on the proceedings of the International Conference on Social Defence and Crime Prevention (Visegrad, Hungary, May 15-17, 1984) presents the opening addresses and 38 papers pertaining to various crime prevention issues.
Abstract
Opening papers set the stage for subsequent conference debate. Some of the debate issues relate to the essence and nature of crime, the role of penal law, what can be done to prevent crime, and how persons' rights can be protected in the course of crime prevention efforts. The debate focuses on changes both in the criminal justice system and socioeconomic system needed to facilitate crime prevention. Many of the papers discuss alternative social responses to deviant behaviors and what is most effective to prevent recidivism. Much of the discussion focuses on the effectiveness of the criminal justice process of determining criminal responsibility in preventing crime. Papers also discuss efforts that can be taken by communities in cooperation with or independent of the criminal justice system to create a community environment that reduces criminal behaviors. Many papers feature the importance of communities' determining their own responses to crime based on consensus perceptions of how crime can best be managed and prevented.