NCJ Number
70041
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This British essay reviews major issues in criminal policy, the contribution that research may make to their understanding, and those trends in criminal policy which may be emphasized in the 1980's.
Abstract
Focusing more on the environment and less on the offender, past research in crime prevention suggests that crime can be reduced by proper adult supervision of children, schools with a policy of discipline, neighborhoods with a minimum of multiple disadvantages and limited crime opportunities, community influences and example, and increased risks of being caught. Recent research emphasizes offenders more than environment and deals with their responses to treatment. Research results, in order to be effective in changing policy, must be presented in a framework of ideas likely to appear to the policymaker and point to practical solutions of perceived problems within a realistic timespan at a reasonable cost. Given the time factor involved in scientific research, it is doubtful that a direct link between research and policy can be established. Further, the acceptability of social science research is hampered by perceptions of objectivity. In the 1980's, crime reduction will probably remain an issue, with greater emphasis placed on obtaining value for money. This will result in closer scrutiny of the economic use of resources and the public's willingness to accept changes in methods of crime prevention and control. Other issues focused upon will be public order, the scope of criminal and civil laws, and the settlement of disputes without intervention. Increasing recognition will be given to technologically induced environmental crime (international crime, pollution, etc.). Reference notes and a list of 71 publications are included.