NCJ Number
51433
Journal
Annales Internationales de Criminologie Volume: 16 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1977) Pages: 267-279
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CRIME AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS ARE EXAMINED IN THE UNION OF THE SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS (USSR), ALONG WITH ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT CRIME BY REMOVING THE SOCIAL FORCES THAT LEAD TO CRIME.
Abstract
EACH SEPARATE CRIME IS CONSIDERED AN ACT OF CONSCIOUS WILL, A CONCEPT WHICH IS OFTEN LOST WHEN CRIMINOLOGISTS CONSIDER CRIME AS A MASS PHENOMENON. LENIN'S THESIS CONCERNING THE CAUSES OF CRIME IS REVIEWED BRIEFLY, AND THE EFFORTS OF THE USSR TO REMOVE THE FORCES LEADING TO THE BREAKDOWN OF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE COMMISSION OF CRIME ARE EXPLAINED. INDIVIDUAL CONSCIOUSNESS IS VIEWED AS THE PRODUCT OF SEVERAL ELEMENTS: THE SOCIALIST ORDER; TIES TO NATIONAL GROUPS OR COLLECTIVES WHICH MAY EITHER CONFORM TO THE NATURE OF THE SOCIALIST ORDER OR OPPOSE IT; AND INDIVIDUAL AND PERSONAL LOYALTIES. CRIME IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR MOST OFTEN WHEN SOCIAL CONDITIONS LEAD TO CONFLICT BETWEEN PERSONAL AND GROUP LOYALTIES AND THE SOCIALIST ORDER. SUCH SOCIAL CONDITIONS MIGHT INCLUDE INEQUITIES IN HOUSING, SALARY, AND OPPORTUNITY. CRIME ALSO TAKES PLACE WHEN MANAGEMENT MAKES IT EASY FOR WORKERS TO APPROPRIATE MATERIALS BELONGING TO THE STATE AND RESELL THEM. AN ANALYSIS OF 150 CASES OF THEFT SHOWED THE MAJORITY TO BE THE RESULT OF POOR MANAGEMENT CONTROLS. IMPROVEMENTS IN LIVING CONDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT CONTROLS CONSTITUTE THE ELEMENTS OF CRIME CONTROL. THE JOB OF A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IS TO CHANGE ATTITUDES TOWARDS CRIME; IF A PERSON IS RELEASED BEFORE SUCH CHANGE OCCURS, RECIDIVISM IS LIKELY. IT IS POINTED OUT ALSO THAT 50 PERCENT OF CRIME IN THE USSR INVOLVES FAMILY MEMBERS OR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. IMPROVED LIVING CONDITIONS ARE THE KEY TO REDUCING THIS TYPE OF CRIME. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)