NCJ Number
90441
Journal
BRA Apropa Volume: 8 Issue: 6 Dated: (1982) Pages: 4-11
Date Published
1982
Length
8 pages
Annotation
An overview of crime in Hungary and Hungary's crime preventive and rehabilitation activities points to the country's educative and supportive approach in helping offenders reenter society as a means of preventing their recidivism.
Abstract
Hungary, according to official statistics, has a low crime rate (about 130,000 crimes are reported a year and about 60,000 persons are tried in Hungary's criminal courts). The most prevalent is property crime, followed by traffic crimes involving alcohol abuse and assault. Although drugs are not currently a problem, alcohol is. Besides alcohol abuse, a housing shortage and the large number of juveniles left unsupervised because of working parents are social problems that can mean high risk for crime. Police have high clearance rates, which can be a deterrent, and the minimum prison term is 3 months. While in prison, inmates are given vocational, career development, and social training. Academic schooling is offered to prisoners needing to complete high school equivalency. At release, ex-inmates are given help in beginning studies or locating work. They receive a temporary living subsidy to help establish themselves. All of this rehabilitative activity is administered by the court.