Socialiniai pokyčiai ir nusikalstamumas

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Kriminologija; Nusikalstamumas Lietuvoje; Nusikalstamumo raida; Criminality in Lithuania; Criminology; Evolution of crime; Lithuania.

ENThe article reviews the evolution of crime in Lithuania during the period after World War II until nowadays. At present general evolution of crime in Lithuania is similar to the situation of other developed European countries - this is due to a slight recent increase of registered crime in many European countries in general. The main trends of stabilization of registered crime in Lithuania are following: tendency towards decline of premeditated murders since 1995; during last years (1996-1999) the number of juvenile delinquents among under aged children who are unemployed and do not attend school decreased. Its part in total number of offenders dropped from 10,02 to 7,2 per cent (the decrease in absolute numbers is rather evident). This is a serious social assumption for general stabilization of crime in Lithuania. According to comparative statistical indicators the level of crime in Lithuania remained 1/3 less if compared to Estonia and 1/5 higher if compared to Latvia. In order to achieve social stability in the society (and surely enough in prevalence of criminality as well) it is important to strive for improvement of criminal and penalty politics, to organize prevention of crime and prevention of recidivism in particular. In doing so it is important to refuse application of only repressive means of crime prevention policies, as they naturally inspire the increase in crime ant its constantly high level. [text from author]