NCJ Number
70020
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 35 Dated: (1979) Pages: 78-82
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This report discusses current trends in crime in Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as crime causes and prevention programs.
Abstract
This survey is based on the Salvation Army's own experiences and official Government statistics. Increases in crime were reported in Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kindgom, and the United States, but decreases were indicated for both France and Australia. All correspondents agreed that white-collar crime had risen. The United Kingdom is experiencing serious problems in relation to its high prison population, possibly from earlier attempts at lenient sentencing which merely delayed overcrowding. Internal factors rooted in education, upbringing, social mores, and religion are more related to crime prevention than detection or fear of punishment. The announcement by British Rail that it was losing about 1 percent of its revenues annually to ticket fraud shows that crime cannot be overcome until society readjusts its moral concepts. Correctional regimes should focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment and might learn from the Salvation Army's projects in prepartition India which allowed families to remain with inmates. In all innovative rehabilitative programs organized by the Salvation Army, the cost to the government has always been substantially lower than the expense of keeping people in prison. Limited schemes involving volunteers should also be tried. Controls on the use of firearms are likely to be ineffective as long as governments continue to employ them in the political and social arena. With the exception of the United States and Sweden, reports indicated that drug trafficking and abuse were being contained. Evidence linking alcohol with crime is increasing, although governments have made no efforts to control this substance. Some countries reported the existence of large crime organizations, particularly in the drug trade, pornography, and illegal immigration. While international cooperation is desirable, the price paid for restrictions on movements across borders and the attendant loss of individual freedom would be too high. Subjective assessments of trends by the Army's national correspondents are appended.