NCJ Number
80763
Date Published
1981
Length
161 pages
Annotation
This book discusses Soviet definitions of crime, Soviet criminological theories, causes of criminality in the Soviet Union, crime prevention measures, and unique characteristics of Soviet crime. It was written by a Soviet criminologist who emigrated to the United States in 1976.
Abstract
Soviet definitions of crime have changed repeatedly in Soviet history. Differences between Soviet and Western concepts of crime are explained, with reference to changing criminal codes in Soviet history. A critique of Soviet research into crime causes points out fallacies in several arguments put forth by Soviet criminologists. Soviet criminological theory repudiates all the well-known criminological theories on crime causes and asserts instead that the fundamental cause is rooted in exploitation and the class division of society. Thus, it is said, criminality will disappear with the extinction of exploitation and class distinctions. Data taken from selected Soviet studies show that crimes connected with embezzlement of socialist and personal property of citizens constitute 40 percent of all crimes. A discussion of motivations leading to the commitment of specific crimes compares the perspective of Soviet criminologists with that of their American counterparts. Analyses of Soviet crime statistics conclude that the average number of crimes committed yearly in the Soviet Union during 1972-74 is probably in the range of 16-20 million and that the specific percentage of females in the total number of convicted criminals has fluctuated between 12 and 18 percent. In addition, up to 80 percent of all crimes committed by juveniles are in the categories of theft and acts of 'hooliganism,' broadly defined in the Soviet Union. A review of Soviet crime prevention measures highlights the experience of Leningrad, where a major effort to engage teenagers in social and sport activities to prevent crime was instituted. Special Soviet crime prevention measures include criminal punishment, mandatory medical treatment and rehabilitative measures, social action (to prevent recidivism), elimination of causes and conditions conducive to crime, and the stopping of crimes in progress. Special schools and professional and vocational institutions occupy a prominent place in the system of State agencies charged with crime prevention among juveniles. An explanation of special problems handled by Soviet criminologists, such as the struggle against the violation of religious worship laws, concludes the text. Footnotes, an index, and a bibliography of over 150 references are provided.