NCJ Number
81274
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Organization and research areas of the Swedish Council for Crime Prevention are summarized.
Abstract
Founded in 1974, the Council is charged with tracing crime trends, evaluating research on the causes of crime and their elimination publicizing research results, and coordinating research efforts. Research staff consists of 35 persons divided into research and development branches; the total budget for 1979-80 was 2.9 million crowns. Special research projects are enhanced by work groups that include practicing specialists from a variety of fields. Among research areas is analysis of the relationship between crime trends and social change, which examines such topics as criminogenic effects of unemployment, the extent of crime in certain population groups, and social indicators of crime. Juvenile delinquency is studied longitudinally to ascertain the effects of early preventive work. Research on special prevention measures examines aspects of police activity, the labeling theory, physical deterrence of crime, informal social controls, and laws and regulations. Other research areas in which the Council conducts studies are treatment and resocialization of offenders, drug and alcohol-related criminality, and economic crime. The latter is being examined by a work group charged with recommending legislation to curb organized and white-collar crimes. It is expected that the work of the Council will affect public awareness of crime as well as the formulation of political crime policies. Footnotes are given.