The United Nations Programme on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

This book documents the evolution of the UN Crime Programme and its changing priorities, from the early focus on juvenile delinquency and correctional treatment, to the present preoccupation with transnational organized crime. It analyses what factors have contributed to this evolution, and to the shift from the original work on ?soft law? resolutions and international standards, to ?hard law? conventions, and to the expansion of technical assistance. It also examines the changing structure and working methods of the Programme, such as the UN Crime Commission and the UN Secretariat unit responsible for the Programme, the UN Crime Congresses, and the Programme Network Institutes. Drawing on almost fifty years of experience on the ?inside? of the United Nations Crime Programme and his hands-on knowledge of the working of governmental and intergovernmental processes, Matti Joutsen explores the transitions that have taken place in the UN Crime Programme over the seven decades of its existence, assesses the changing impact of the Programme, and suggests possible future directions in international cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice.

An accessible and compelling read, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, politics, criminal justice, policy makers and those interested in the evolution of the UN Crime Programme.

1. Introduction to the United Nations Programme on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Part One: The development 2.The creation and first years of the UN Crime Programme 3.Restructuring, the shift to hard law, and the impact of the Social Development Goals Part Two: The parts and the players 4.The main structures in the UN Crime Programme 5.Member States, specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations and experts 6.Non-governmental organizations 7.The UN Crime Programme Network Institutes Part Three: The product 8.The evolution of topics in the UN Crime Programme 9.Soft law: UN standards and norms 10.The UN Crime Congresses 11.The impact of the UN Crime Conventions 12.UN Crime Programme technical assistance, research and peacebuilding 13.Concluding comments

Matti Joutsen is the former Director of the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations.