NCJ Number
100922
Journal
Crime and Justice Volume: 8 Dated: (1985) Pages: 93-114
Date Published
1985
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Through a content analysis of information contained in the ''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' for 1981, variations were examined in the criminal justice practices of 155 nations.
Abstract
The analysis is focused on the severity of punishments, prison conditions, and the rights of the accused. Attention also was given to cross-national variations in the provision of due process protections and the severity of punitive practices and the relationship between national economic development and criminal justice system attributes. While there was much similarity among nations in a few areas, nations varied considerably in their criminal justice practices. Further, there were considerable discrepancies between formal law and constitutional guarantees and actual criminal justice policies within many nations. In general, nations of lesser economic development were found to have severer punishments, harsher prison conditions, and fewer due process protections for those accused of criminal behavior. 3 footnotes and 23 references. (Author abstract modified)