Citizens Associations and the Volunteer Probation Officer (From Analysing Informal Mechanisms of Crime Control: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, P 187-200, 1988, Mark Findlay and Ugljesa Zvekic, eds. -- See NCJ-119060)

• NCJ Number: 119065
• Author(s): T Moriyama; A Salama
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Italy

Annotation

This summary of a paper on citizens' crime prevention associations in Japan and Egypt focuses on their structure and activities.

Abstract

Almost all Japanese police stations are linked to a Crime Prevention Association ("bohan kyokai"), which consists of citizens who assist the police by promoting various citizen crime prevention activities and by educating citizens for crime prevention. Japanese citizens are also involved in helping prevent offenders from recidivating through such activities as the "benevolent visitor" system whereby citizens visit inmates to provide friendship and guidance, the volunteer probation officer system, and the operation of rehabilitation aid hostels. Egypt has a number of crime prevention associations that work in close collaboration with the police. The activities of the associations include informing citizens about crime prevention measures, resolving problems and disputes without resorting to the police, assessing public opinion and devising responses targeted to citizen needs, fostering community bonds, and targeting community factors that undermine citizens' ability to maintain order and security.