NCJ Number
126193
Date Published
1989
Length
210 pages
Annotation
This is the fifteenth in a series of annual reviews of crime and criminal justice in Finland. The sources of the statistics are the series of the Official Statistics of Finland, "Criminality Known to the Police," "Criminal Cases Tried by the Courts," and "Function of Courts."
Abstract
In comparison with the other Nordic countries, criminality in Finland is not very high; however, there is a high prisoner rate. This rate is suggested to be caused by three factors: the high clearance rate of crimes, the extensive use of unconditional prison sentences, and the long terms of imprisonment, which is seen as of special importance. The statistics and discussions presented cover several offense categories: assault, robbery, theft, auto theft, embezzlement, fraud, damage to property, drunken driving per 100,000 population aged 15 and over, DWI per 10,000 cars, tax crimes, other traffic crimes, crimes against labor protection laws, and narcotics. Homicide rates are discussed separately. The presented rate of homicide of 3 per 100,000 population aged 15 and over is considered high when compared to other European countries. The number of persons prosecuted and the sentences given are the final discussion of this annual survey. 19 tables (Author abstract modified)