CMY 2602 SUMMARY NOTES

THEME 1: THE EVOLUTION, DEVELOPMENT & APPLICATION OF CRIME PREVENTION APPROACHES, MODELS AND STRUCTURES 1. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CRIME  Crime prevention: all measures taken by way of government policy and private initiative to prevent crime, with the exception of the criminal justice system.  Crime prevention models are usually based on specific theories or factors of crime that may have played a part in the commission of crime or victimization, while programs have no theoretical basis.  1971: USA established the National Crime Prevention Institute under the auspices of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration in the Department of Justice. Federal government took charge of NCPI in 1986 to involve communities in crime prevention.  England: o Local crime prevention panels existed from 1966. o 1975: Home Office Committee on Crime Prevention. o 1983: establishment of the Home Office Crime Prevention Centre and the Research and Planning Unit.  France: prevention councils have been operating at local, regional and national levels since 1983.  Sweden and Denmark: national crime prevention councils since late 1970s.  SA: National Crime Prevention Policy – 22 May 1996. Advocates an integrated, multidimensional crime prevention model for interdepartmental cooperation at central, regional and local authority levels. Four pillars: o The reduction of crime through effective environmental planning and design focusing on designing systems to reduce the opportunity for crime and increase the ease of detection and identification of criminals. o The enhancement of community values and campaigns to educate the community aimed at changing the way communities react to crime and violence. It involves programs that make use of public education and information to facilitate meaningful citizen participation in crime prevention. o Transnational crime prevention for the specific purpose of crime across the borders. o An effective and integrated criminal justice system. It must provide a sure, clear deterrent for criminals and reduce the risks of reoffending.  Factors crucial to successful crime prevention: o State and community involvement in implementing a comprehensive crime prevention policy. o A multidimensional crime prevention approach, which incorporates a number of crime prevention models and their programs. o Crime prevention models and programs based on causation theories and factors which may be operative in crime and victimization. o Attention to the uniqueness of crime patterns and causes peculiar to a country or neighbourhood. o Proper planning and the evaluation of crime prevention programs (which must also be cost-effective).  Crime prevention approaches: o Social crime prevention model (by Graham):  Socioeconomic structures/systems (families, schools, churches, recreational facilities, jobs) are important socialization structures.  Shortcomings in these structures may contribute to crime.  Social crime prevention programs are therefore designed to help vulnerable groups, and to eradicate poor socioeconomic conditions and social inequalities. o Limiting opportunities for crime model:  Focus on potential victims, community and the physical environment.  Includes effective urban and environmental planning; publicity campaigns aimed at making people more security conscious; target reinforcement; CCTV.  Successful in preventing crimes against property and people (robbery, pickpocketing). o Community-based crime prevention model:  Make offenders aware of the risk of being caught in specific neighbourhoods.  Examples: neighbourhood watches, safe houses, etc.  Successful in preventing robbery, pickpocketing, burglary, crimes against property and car theft. o Biophysical prevention model:  Early identification and treatment (esp. in children) may play an important role in preventing crime.  Examples: vitamin supplements, diet adjustments, medication, therapy. o Psychological prevention model  Focus on inner psychological needs and disorders that may give rise to criminal behaviour.  Interpersonal problems and poor communication, particularly within the family, may contribute to criminal behaviour.  Psychological treatments: psychological tests, psychotherapy, social casework. o Integrated crime prevention models  Prevention of specific crime:  A number of factors are seen as contributing to the particular crime.  These factors are treated using appropriate crime prevention programs.  Examples: rehabilitation, training in family and social skills, psychological treatment, techniques for coping with frustration and assistance with finding employment.  Crime prev