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Key Text Evidence-Based Approaches to Crime Prevention in Developing Countries - A Scoping Review of the Literature

Author: J Akpokodje, R Bowles and E Tigere
Date: 2002
Size: 169 pages (1610 KB)

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Summary

What are the best approaches for crime prevention in developing countries? What is the quality and extent of research on the subject? This report from the Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology at the University of York comprises a literature review of the crime prevention programmes and approaches in developing countries. A total of 91 studies published between 1980 and 2002 were included. Sherman’s crime prevention definition, which states that crime prevention is a result of everyday practices concentrated in different institutional settings, was used.

In all settings, widespread crime disrupts prospects for growth and development and reduces the quality of life for citizens, especially the poorest groups. There is a substantial knowledge gap in relation to the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions globally.There is little research on criminal justice policy in developing countries that uses rigorous scientific methods of the kind advocated by Sherman et al. The quality of the research on criminal justice interventions in particular remains modest. Limitations include:

A lack of “experimental” dimension such as control groups and relying on inference about the prospects for crime prevention from complex data. In many cases the assertions cannot and have not be tested.
The introduction of a system of property rights is not sufficient to transform transitional economies into successful market economies.
The machinery of criminal justice can be misused in many countries to pursue private interests.
Data limitations in many developing countries inhibit research. Furthermore, in many developing countries the criminal justice system is an extremely sensitive area politically.
The capacity for analysis of policy options and experimental design in the criminal justice field is weak in many countries.

An experimental approach situated within a broader framework of economic evaluation based on cost-benefit analysis is to be pursued. Constructing a more solid foundation for developing an evidence base on effectiveness and for conducting economic evaluations of criminal justice interventions is the task ahead, involving:

The scope for making greater use of experimental and related methods of analysis. For instance, the use of policy pilots that make direct comparisons of outcomes achieved with and without the intervention.
An analysis of the interface between the “formal” justice sector and its informal counterparts in developing countries can produce useful comparisons between citizen approaches and those of agencies.
Restricting experiments to a single type of intervention where possible and identifying the objectives of the intervention clearly. Also, being clear about the theoretical basis for predicting the effects of intervention.
Using crime rates and deprivation data to identify a population of areas with common characteristics that are appropriate to the target crime categories.
Specifying outcome measures that are consistent with policy objectives. Also, specifying the criteria to be used for capturing more qualitative types of information.
Specifying a timetable for evaluation and a procedure for subsequent monitoring. Similarly, specifying the objectives of an evaluation, for instance whether it is to inform decisions about existing or new areas.

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Source: Akpokodje, J., Bowles, R. and Tigere, E., 2002, 'Evidence-Based Approaches to Crime Prevention in Developing Countries - A Scoping Review of the Literature', DFID, London
Author: Roger Bowles , rab12@york.ac.uk
Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology, http://www.york.ac.uk/criminaljustice