THE CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE BRANCH OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR: IMPLEMENTING CRIME PREVENTION POLICIES AND STRATEGIES AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL; PREPARING AND SERVICING THE QUINQUENNIAL UNITED NATIONS CONGRESSES ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS; PREPARING THE BIENNIAL SESSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL; COORDINATING CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASPECTS OF OTHER U.N. COMMISSIONS (PARTICULARLY THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE DIVISION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS); AND PROVIDING AND COORDINATING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBER NATIONS AND REGIONAL INSTITUTES. STUDIES, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS DEVELOPED TO ASSIST GOVERNMENTS IN POLICY FORMATION AND PLANNING ARE BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED. TOPICS COVERED BY THE SIXTH CONGRESS ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL AND THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL ARE LISTED. A BRIEF OVERVIEW IS GIVEN OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. REPORTS WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1980 ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, TREATMENT OF PRISONERS, SELECTION AND TRAINING OF PERSONNEL FOR PENAL INSTITUTIONS, AND OPEN PENAL INSTITUTIONS. THE ARTICLE IS FOOTNOTED. (GLR)