NCJ Number
147132
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 77-86
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The recent political and economic changes in Central and Eastern Europe have changed many aspects of everyday life and increased the potential for crime and organized crime.
Abstract
Anecdotal evidence indicates that corruption and economic crime were inherent in certain facets of the Soviet model, although in the pre-perestroika period, drug trafficking and organized crime were relatively rare, with the exception of the Central Asian republics. Petty corruption was endemic and was supplemented by the shadow economy, which dealt primarily with smuggled goods, foreign currency, pornography, and drugs. According to the routine activity approach to criminology, crime is affected by three factors: the number of suitable targets, the number of likely and motivated offenders, and the absence of capable guardians to prevent potential offenders from committing crimes. According to this analysis, the potential for organized crime in Central and Eastern Europe in the post-perestroika period has grown with respect to all three factors. Other factors which may contribute to a growing crime rate include the lack of respected criminal justice personnel, the lack of facilities and equipment for preventing crime, and the inadequacy of informal social controls to prevent or control organized crime. 10 notes and 18 references