Volume 88   Issue 4 (august)  2005

Content

Articles

Mare-Balticum-Youth-Survey
Selbstberichtete Delinquenz und Gewalterfahrungen von Jugendlichen im Ostseeraum

[in German language]

Summary
The present study concerns an international comparative poll of 9^th grade pupils (about 15 years old) about experiences of violence as victims as well as perpetrators (self reported violence and other delinquency) in selected cities in Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden. The almost 4,900 pupils in total showed, on the one hand, similar patterns concerning »ubiquitous« delinquency, particularly regarding property and other petty offences. On the other hand considerably different life prevalence rates can be observed as well. An elevated life prevalence rate was shown in the Middle and Eastern European countries compared to Uppsala (S), Helsinki (FIN), and Greifswald (D). Violence is a male phenomenon, both in terms of perpetrators as well as victimisation rates (with the exception of sexual violence where young girls are overrepresented). Gender differences are less important concerning property crimes and other minor offences. Robbery and simple bodily harm are the dominant violence experiences of young males. In the Middle and Eastern European cities involved in this study the victimisation risk was two to three times higher than in the Scandinavian cities or Greifswald. 3-7 %  of the pupils – in Szczecin even about 10 % – experienced massive domestic violence and/or abuse by their parents. The correlation between experiences of domestic violence in childhood with later self reported violent acts has been confirmed in our study. This is particularly true for male juveniles, whereas female juveniles apparently also have other coping strategies to combat these negative experiences. In spite of many similarities fundamental differences remain between the Western European cities and the former socialist countries which indicates a particularly problematic situation for the youth population in Eastern Europe.

Keywords: Violence, victims of violence, victimisation, domestic violence, self reported juvenile delinquency, juvenile delinquency in international comparison

pp. 215-239

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Benachteiligte Wohngebiete, lokales Sozialkapital und »Disorder«
Eine Mehrebenenanalyse zu den individuellen und sozialräumlichen Determinanten der Perzeption von physical und social incivilities im städtischen Raum

[in German language]

Summary
A hierarchical linear model predicting the perception of 30 physical und social incivilities in residential areas is tested with survey data (N = 3612) in 49 districts of the city of Hamburg. Perceptions of these incivilities are measured in terms of perceived frequency and severity of an incivility. Indices for perceived incivilities using product terms (frequency x severity) are constructed. Results of the multilevel analysis indicate that individual variables (personal and indirect victimization, trust, contacts to neighbors) and contextual variables (neighborhood disadvantage) are good predictors of different indices of perceived physical und social incivilities.

Keywords: Incivilities, broken windows, social capital, multilevel analysis

pp. 240-256

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Psychopathie - Gegenindikation für Sozialtherapie?

[in German language]

Summary
German law assures social therapeutic treatment to each incarcerated sexual offender who requires psychotherapy and may benefit from it. After viewing the international literature concerning »psychopathy« (measured with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist) the authors draw the conclusion that at least at the present time, »psychopaths« are nearly untreatable. The investigation of a representative sample of 95 incarcerated German sex offenders with the screening version of the PCL showed the same factorial structure and the same distribution of raw data as North American samples; this as well as observed correlations led to the conclusion, that the German version of the PCL:SV may be used for psychological diagnosis. The authors are of the opinion that »psychopaths« should not be admitted to therapeutic institutions for treatment. Suggestions for further development were made.

Keywords: Psychopathy, applicability of the Psychopathy Checklist to German sex offenders, indication for treatment, sociotherapy

pp. 257-272

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Überlegungen zum Cannabisverbot
Wie könnte eine Alternative aussehen?

[in German language]

Summary
The extensive prohibition of cannabis pursuant to the current law neither meets the objectives of the BtMG (German Law on Narcotics) nor operates to protect young people. It is increasingly less acknowledged and accepted in society – and thus almost ineffective. The majority of casual consumers do not commit a punishable offence by purchasing or possessing small amounts of cannabis for personal use. However, the punitive sanctions for these actions prevent a responsible use of a minimally dangerous drug. A change of perspective is necessary considering the number of consumers of cannabis will continue to grow. Only through such an altered stance will it be possible to re-establish acceptance of the law and ensure the protection of young people. To this end, an elaborated enabling model is presented.

Keywords: Cannabis, legalization, deregulation, drug policy, narcotics law

pp. 273-289

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Gute Kriminologische Prognosen: Rückfall, Flucht, Suizid

[in German language]

Summary
Starting from the duty in constitutional law to good criminological prognoses on one side and a bad practice on the other side »quality« and criteria for quality is defined. On this basis a method in three steps with risk and protective factors for the prognosis of recidivism, flight and suicide is presented. The benefits of this method are discussed.

Keywords: prognosis, prognosis of recidivism, risk and protective factors, flight, suicide

pp. 290-304

Coming Events

Gerechtigkeit, Strafe & Strafgerechtigkeit
11. Arbeitstagung der Fachgruppe Rechtspsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie, 22. - 24. September 2005 in Bern/Schweiz

p. 305

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Kriminalität der Mächtigen
Tagung der Gesellschaft für interdisziplinäre wissenschaftliche Kriminologie, 1. - 3. Dezember 2005 in Bielefeld

p. 305

Book Reviews

Gewalt zwischen Polizei und Bevölkerung
Einflüsse von Arbeitsbelastung, Arbeitszufriedenheit und Burnout auf polizeiliche Gewaltausübung und Opfererfahrungen

Verlag Rüegger, Zürich und Chur 2003, 195 Seiten

von Michael Walter, Köln

pp. 307-308

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Soziologie der Kriminalität

Sonderheft 43 der Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie

VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2004, 508 Seiten

von Stephan Quensel, Bremen

pp. 308-311