NCJ Number
136437
Date Published
1990
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes the problem of criminality in Sweden, the criminal policies undertaken by the government, and the causes of criminal behavior and the problems that may arise in connection with criminal policy efforts.
Abstract
The introductory chapter describes various aspects of Swedish criminality focusing on hidden criminality, registered criminality, and geographical variations in criminality. Short-term and long-term changes in crime patterns are examined, and profiles of offenders and victims are outlined. Calculating the cost of criminality is made difficult by the problem of hidden criminality, the inability to measure the cost of human injuries and deaths, and the technical complications of estimating the economics of crime. Estimates of the costs of theft, drug offenses, and economic crimes are provided. Criminal policy in Sweden is based on a system of penal regulations and a control mechanism to ensure that the regulations are followed. The control mechanism consists of police, prosecutors, courts, the correctional system, and other agencies that enforce sanctions. The booklet briefly reviews developments in criminal policy in Sweden during the 1970's and 1980's. There has been a shift from hardship criminality to welfare criminality in Sweden, made possible by the opportunities to commit crimes and the lack of social control in contemporary society.