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Soviet Criminology Update

NCJ Number
136229
Editor(s)
V N Kudriavtzev
Date Published
1990
Length
179 pages
Annotation
This monograph contains a collection of papers by Soviet criminologists and criminal lawyers that examine trends in crime and its causes in the Soviet Union a swell as the influence of "perestroika" and "glasnost."
Abstract
Particular focus is placed on the evaluation of extent of crime, the explanation of causes and socio-psychological mechanism, and the means of control of the crime, especially in terms of penal legislation. Topics covered include crime trends and directions in the criminal policies of the then USSR, trends in improvement of criminal legislation, the concept of USSR criminal law reform, problems and perspectives of criminology, history of criminology and social practice, and social contradictions and antisocial manifestations. The mechanisms of deviant behavior are discussed together with experience in the creation and application of procedures for the prediction of individual criminal behavior. Also examined is the criminogenic role of personality alienation, issues relating to studies of criminal career and the origin of ecological crime, and a genetic approach. The essays indicate that criminology in the Soviet Union is becoming more involved in an examination of the organizational and functional aspects of the criminal justice system and is leaning towards a scientific basis for changes in legislation.