THE COUNCIL WAS CREATED ON JULY 1, 1973, AND IS LINKED TO THE SWEDISH MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. ITS PURPOSES ARE (1) TO ANALYZE THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME, (2) TO RESEARCH ITS CAUSES AND MEANS FOR REMEDY, AND (3) TO DEVELOP CRIMINAL POLICY THROUGH RESEARCH, INQUIRIES, AND INITIATIVES. ITS 16 MEMBERS INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM IMPORTANT SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS PARLIAMENT, THE MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE, OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND OF NATIONAL EDUCATION, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. ITS DUTIES ARE PERFORMED BY WORKING GROUPS (A SYSTEM PRESENTLY UNDER REVIEW), A SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICE, A GROUP OF EXPERTS, AND A SECRETARIAT FOR INFORMATION. THE COUNCIL DEALS PREVENTIVELY WITH SUCH CRIMES AS SHOPLIFTING, FORGERY OF ANTIQUES, FOREIGN CURRENCY VIOLATIONS, TAX EVASION, AND ARMED ROBBERY OF BANKS AND POST OFFICES. PREVENTION OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IS ENCOURAGED THROUGH BETTER TRAINING FOR TEACHERS, ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, AND SOCIAL WORKERS ACTIVE IN THIS AREA; COOPERATION BETWEEN SOCIAL SERVICES, SCHOOLS, AND POLICE; ACCELERATION OF JUDICIAL PROCEDURES; REHABILITATION; AND GENERAL REFORMS. RESEARCH ON PENAL LEGISLATION, JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION, AND THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME ARE INTENDED TO DETERMINE THE OPTIMAL LIMITS OF CRIMINALIZATION. A REPORT BEING PREPARED ON PRINCIPLES FOR A NEW PENAL SYSTEM CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF IMPRISONMENT EXCEPT AS A LAST RESORT. THE COUNCIL ALSO RECOMMENDS EXPERIMENTAL POLICE-ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES INVOLVING CULTURE, SPORTS, AND LEISURE TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE COUNCIL'S EFFORTS CAN ONLY BE ASSESSED OVER A LONG PERIOD. --IN FRENCH. (INL)