Participation of the Public and Victims in Criminal Justice Administration (From Resource Material series No. 56, P 28-47, 2000, Hiroshi Iitsuka and Rebecca Findlay-Debeck, eds. -- See NCJ-191475)

• NCJ Number: 191478
• Author(s): John B. Griffin
• Date Published: December 2000
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: Work product of the 112th UNAFEI International Training Course, “Participation of the Public and Victims for More Fair and Effective Criminal Justice.”

Annotation

This paper reviews crime prevention practices in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, with particular reference to Australia's State of Victoria.

Abstract

From this review, the paper identifies a number of general principles for crime prevention planning. First, strategies to reduce crime and improve community safety should be based on research findings regarding what works. Second, a problem-oriented approach to crime prevention ensures that key crime problems are addressed and appropriate strategies implemented. Third, communities, families, schools, labor markets, welfare groups, voluntary organizations, businesses, government departments, police, and agencies of the criminal justice system all have a role to play in crime prevention and community safety. Fourth, crime prevention strategies must be comprehensive and multifaceted, addressing social, developmental, and situational issues. Fifth, for crime prevention to work, governments must show political commitment, e.g., by giving it a statutory footing. Finally, programs must have built-in evaluation measures that monitor outputs and outcomes. 12 references