NCJ Number
157479
Date Published
1994
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This report presents a preliminary review of changes in patterns and the dynamics of crime in the world, including violent and property crime, in the years 1986-1990.
Abstract
A general increase in crime rates continued during the period under review. The range of increase in specific crime types was highest in robberies (63 percent), burglaries (27 percent), and theft offenses (39 percent), which continued to comprise the majority (almost 75 percent) of all officially recorded crime. Homicide rates also rose from 1986 to 1990. Although the rate of increase fell slightly in 1990, the average change was 23 percent. Homicide rates were greatest in poorer, less developed countries. On average, only 39 percent of homicide suspects were sentenced to prison. Police continued to account for the largest proportion of criminal justice personnel (85 percent). The average number of people in prison decreased from 1986 to 1990, although there was wide variation from country to country. The fact that in most societies growth in crime was accompanied by an increase in policing and corrections may suggest that most societies still rely on repressive strategies, despite attempts to use more crime-prevention and noncustodial measures. A major section of this report focuses on ways to improve the responses to the United Nations surveys of crime trends and operations of criminal justice systems. This section addresses improvement in the response rate, improving the quality of data, and new areas of concern. 15 tables and 12 figures