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Greece (From International Handbook of Contemporary Developments in Criminology, Volume 2, P 289-310, 1983, Elmer H Johnson, ed. See NCJ-91322)

NCJ Number
91336
Author(s)
C D Spinellis
Date Published
1983
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper considers the characteristics of Greek society, sources for crime data, crime patterns, criminological research and education, careers in criminology, and prospects for criminology in Greece.
Abstract
A traditional society, Greece is undergoing, in the 1980's, the disintegration of informal social controls. Greek crime statistics cover only the most serious offenses, and these statistics are compiled by the National Statistical Service on the basis of police and court records. The Greek citizenry is not currently alarmed by the incidence of violent crimes, although data suggest an increase in such crimes. Criminal sanctions are relatively mild in Greece, as imprisonment for less than 1 month is the most frequent sentence. The suspended sentence is the next most often used sanction. Criminology in Greece follows the European tradition in being legally and medically oriented. Criminology is taught in law schools by persons trained abroad. The absence of departments of sociology in Greek universities has hampered the development of criminology in Greece. In spite of these difficulties, a chair of criminology has been established at the Athens University Law School, and criminologists have been included on various governmental committees. Seventy-two notes and 54 bibliographic entries are provided.

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