NCJ Number
147643
Date Published
1993
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This report presents data from the third United Nations Survey of Crime Trends, Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, and Crime Prevention Strategies.
Abstract
Data show changes in recorded crime in the 78 reporting countries or areas for 1975-86. Data on criminal justice processes for 1975-86 addresses the recording of alleged offenders, attrition rate, imprisonment and other forms of detention, and changes in the prison populations. Other data show the financial and personnel resources available to criminal justice agencies in 1986. Data on the dynamics in criminal justice systems for 1975-86 encompass countries in the regions of Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Various types of crime prevention strategies implemented in 1975-86 are also described. The survey found a general but not universal increase in total recorded crime and in most categories of recorded crime. Crime increased 10 percent in 1975-80 and 23 percent in 1980-85. The sharpest increase in crime in both the periods 1980-85 and 1975-89 was in drug-related crime and robbery. There was a trend toward community-based crime prevention programs. Detected offenders in all countries were predominantly male. The use of custody for juvenile males has apparently been reduced. Custodial sanctions increased, but in proportion to the increase in crime. The average amount of time spent in pretrial custody changed little. Police service continued to employ most criminal justice personnel and required the greater share of available resources. 29 tables and 11 figures