NCJ Number
70645
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1980) Pages: 82-97
Date Published
1980
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The development, organization, and current trends in Polish criminology are outlined.
Abstract
Criminology has existed in Poland as a science since 1918, but the field suffered serious setbacks after the Second World War. In the postwar period, research has departed from the simplistic Marxist-Leninist theories about the causes and prevention of crime propounded in other socialist countries. At present, criminological research in Poland is conducted in the law divisions of Polish universities. Four criminological journals are published, and special attention is devoted to foreign literature and methods. Criminal behavior is the main focus of criminological research, but socially detrimental behavior (e.g., alcoholism) is also an area of interest. While criminology must consider the etiology of crime, the question of whether research on possiblities and methods of crime prevention belong to the criminologist's territory remains controversial. Current research on causes of crime uses a multifactorial approach which examines both social environment and offender personality. Results are intended to assist the courts and prisons in their work. Research on crime statistics seeks to assess frequency and trends of crime. While a dramatic drop in crime rates since 1972 is attributable to decriminalization of petty offenses, figures indicate a definite rise in conviction rates for serious offenses, probably because of stricter investigation and prosecution practices of police and the courts. Juvenile crime, which has grown mightly since 1955, is the most popular area of research; most studies analyze either causes or preventive measures. A good deal of literature also explores the causes and course of recidivism. Research on penalties and resocialization suggests that the legal reform designed to reduce and to vary sanctions for minor crimes and to increase penalties for serious crimes has had little effect: more than a third of the offenders convicted are incarcerated. High recidivism rates are caused by a lack of prison treatment programs. Polish research on crime prevention has rejected the theory which attributes crime prevention has rejected the theory which attributes crime to residuals of capitalism and which holds that crime will automatically disappear in a pure socialist state. Preventive efforts extend to public education programs, careful social policy planning, and passage of special laws. While individual rights must be limited to prevent negative social events, the desirable degree of limitation is contested. Notes and tables are supplied.