As part of a general overview of Northern Ireland's criminal justice system, the article briefly discusses the system itself and its history. The report is divided into the following sections: (1) Crime (classification of crime, statistics on murder, rape, burglary and robbery); (2) Victims (groups most victimized by crime, victims' assistance agencies); (3) Police (administration, resources, accountability); (4) Prosecutorial and judicial process (assistance to the accused, preparatory procedures); (5) Judicial system (administration, special courts, judges); (6) Penalties and sentencing (sentencing process, types of penalties); (7) Prison (description, conditions); and (8) Extradition and treaties. Subject areas for which information was not obtained are so noted. Sources