NCJ Number
219438
Date Published
February 2007
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report presents information on United Nations member states' implementation of the United Nations Economic and Social Council resolution 2002/13 of July 24, 2002, in which the Council accepted the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime, with attention to member states' replies to a survey on their application of the crime prevention guidelines.
Abstract
The survey responses indicate that many countries have crime prevention plans that implement in whole or in part the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime; however, given that fewer than one-fourth of the United Nations member states have replied to the survey, it is difficult to assess the global implementation of the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime. Based on existing survey responses, one main element of a successful crime prevention policy is establishing a central entity that is charged with implementing national programs and coordinating the efforts of central and local government as well as nongovernmental organizations. Another main element is reviewing crime prevention strategies regularly in order to better identify needs and best practices. Other elements of a successful nationwide crime prevention effort are institutionalizing programs that focus on children and youth; producing guides, toolkits, and manuals that assist in the dissemination of knowledge on crime prevention; and creating partnerships and cooperation with nongovernmental organizations in crime prevention projects. Some of the responding countries commented on the high cost of a nationwide crime prevention effort, but one respondent observed that over the long term it reduces the high costs of criminal victimization and criminal justice case processing. Among the most difficult challenges reported were changing the socioeconomic conditions that promote crime, addressing organized crime activities, improving cooperation among government bodies involved in crime prevention, and involving all levels of government and the local community in crime prevention efforts. 1 table