From Theory to Research to Policy - Scandinavian Developments in Juvenile Crime Prevention and Control (From Selected Issues in Criminal Justice, P 78-90, 1985 - See NCJ-103245)

• NCJ Number: 103250
• Author(s): M Joutsen
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: Finland
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-103245.

Annotation

This paper describes the criminological research establishments in Scandinavian countries, reviews juvenile delinquency research, and notes the link between such research and policymaking.

Abstract

In Denmark and Norway, criminological research is conducted primarily in the universities, but in Finland and Sweden, primary research institutes are connected with the governments. With the exception of Denmark and some minor exceptions in Sweden and Finland, criminological research in Scandinavia is generally sociologically oriented. The Scandinavian countries cooperate extensively in research, even to the extent of conducting joint research projects. Scandinavian juvenile delinquency research has shown that juveniles have a higher rate of recorded crime than adults, and the 'dark figure' of crime is also high for juveniles. Four popular themes in the study of youth crime are unemployment as a criminogenic factor, drug use, the criminogenic role of gangs, and the status of immigrants and other minority groups. Recent examples of such research are described. Delinquency prevention, offender treatment, and the operation of the juvenile justice system have also been researched. Research on the use of imprisonment has led to its reduced use. Policymakers are particularly responsive to research in devising policy, as policy reforms in many areas reflect recent research. 37 notes.