NCJ Number
106204
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In 1950, the United Nations (UN) assumed a leadership role in coordinating international collaboration in the prevention of crime and treatment of offenders.
Abstract
The first UN congress on this topic was held in 1955, and subsequent congresses have been held every 5 years. The nature and content of UN crime congresses have changed significantly over the past 30 years. Largely in response to the changing nature of world politics, the UN congresses started addressing a much broader spectrum of preoccupations about crime and its effects. The first congress had focused on crime and offenders within narrow definitions. The second congress in 1960 examined crime and criminals in the broader context of society. Subsequent congresses examined social change and criminality, community crime prevention, recidivism, probation, crime prevention, criminal justice provisions and roles, professional conduct, and crime and the quality of life. The last congress in 1985 resulted in 6 major instruments recommending criminal justice norms and standards and 25 resolutions on a broad range of crime-related issues. 1 note.