In this 80-year period, Canada experienced a dramatic growth in both indictable and summary convictions. This growth is paralleled in Australia, England and Wales, and France. Between 1960 and 1980, the populations of Canada and of the other countries quadrupled. This increase in population has, along with the following factors, contributed to the increase in crime: life opportunities are blocked in employment and in school for youths and minorities; persons abuse alcohol, contributing to family breakdown; opportunities to steal cars and products have increased; and more handguns and illegal drugs contribute to more crime. Canada imprisoned offenders at about the same rates in 1980 and 1900; however, in 1980 prisoners tended to be younger, to have been convicted for violence, and confined under better conditions. On the average, Canada imprisons about half as many people as the United States and about four times as many as the Netherlands. Criminal justice expenditures in both Canada and the United States have continued to grow; in 1980-81, Canada spent $2.6 billion, and the United States spent $24 billion. The major portion of these penal expenditures goes to policing. A similar growth in police strength occurred in all countries studied. Three charts and 65 tables are included.