,CMY2602 Exam Study Pack
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Notes
• Essay Questions with Answers
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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.
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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 prevention and control by means of the criminal justice system:
Law regulates human behaviour and must, therefore, be just.
o Successful programmes:
Sherman, Gottfredson, MacKenzie, Eck, Reuter and Bushway found that the
following worked well in USA:
Regular home visits by nurses and other professionals, and weekly home
visits by teachers of preschool children to combat child abuse.
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