Crime and Public Policy

This introduction to the book starts by defining crime. It explains that cross-national agreement about what should and should not be considered as criminal is narrower than is sometimes recognized. Examples are given of various acts that are regarded as criminal in some countries but not others. Crime and its control raises many instrumental, expressive, emotional, and moral issues, the text states. The layout of the book is outlined and some noncontroversial conclusions are offered. Next this introductory text looks at broad public policy approaches for dealing with crime: criminal law enforcement, prevention, harm reduction, regulation, decriminalization, and nonintervention. Next rates and trends are detailed and the costs associated are analysed. Finally this introductory section of the book looks at choosing the right policies.