NCJ Number
107385
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (1987) Pages: 101-110
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Concepts of formal and informal crime control mechanisms in the criminal justice system of the People's Republic of China are discussed and contrasted with the U.S. system.
Abstract
Parallel to China's formal system of criminal justice is a traditional informal system of social control. Such social control focuses on cultivating proper conduct through an early and ongoing educational process whereby each person learns and accepts common values and norms. The police, courts, and corrections in China reinforce informal social controls as a means of crime control. This emphasis on informal mechanisms may have implications for crime reduction programs in the West. A critical review of U.S. crime reduction strategies, modification of approaches to rule enforcement, and a re-evaluation of the validity of present formal enforcement mechanisms may be useful at this point in time. 3 notes and 3 references. (Author abstract modified)