NCJ Number
101899
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1986) Pages: 22-28
Date Published
1986
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Community participation in crime prevention is essential for effective social control in India and may take the form of individual action as well as participation in social and criminal justice institutions.
Abstract
Citizens can act as individuals to prevent crime by serving as witnesses, intervening in attempted offenses, taking precautions to prevent the theft of one's property, and establishing and enforcing guidelines for the behavior of one's children. Citizens may also act as school or social agency professionals to provide informal social control and services that reduce the likelihood of juvenile criminal behavior. A number of cities and villages in India have organized citizen committees which cooperate with various criminal justice agencies to address crimes in their communities. Data indicate that such cooperation has produced a significant reduction in particular types of crime. Citizen participation in criminal justice administration could extend to the use of lay bodies to handle certain forms of citizen misconduct. In India, tribal village councils are authorized to dispense justice in minor civil and criminal matters. Citizen participation in crime prevention could be improved through expanded public education, sanctions for not reporting crime, and greater emphasis on the social control aspects of parent-child and teacher-child relationships. 13 references.