Researchers and the Politics of Prevention (General Scientific Survey) (From Politiques de Prevention de la Delinquance. A l'Aune de la Recherche, P 13-27, 1991, Philippe Robert, ed. See NCJ-137844)

• NCJ Number: 137845
• Author(s): P Robert
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Editions L'Harmattan
• Publication Type: Presentation
• Language: French
• Country: France

Annotation

The article surveys and evaluates the status of international crime prevention research.

Abstract

To find a common approach to the research of different countries, the article defines prevention broadly as actions aimed at reducing criminal behavior by means other than penal sanctions. The instruments of prevention are most frequently central and local government agencies, penal institutions, and private agencies such as insurance companies and private police. Though many countries have introduced crime prevention programs, their approaches to specific problems such as the prevention of drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, and recidivism are often different and even contradictory. The research body is further weakened because the countries fail to follow up on the administration and effectiveness of their programs. The author suggests the establishment of centralized observatories which would assemble the fragmented information on the different prevention programs. The need for systematic and competent program evaluations by independent researchers is also stressed.