Crime and Justice, Volume 35: Crime and Justice in the Netherlands

This volume of Crime and Justice presents the first English-language survey of the Dutch criminal justice system. The Netherland's reputation for tolerance, harm-reduction approach to drug use, pragmatic policies toward prostitution, low imprisonment rates, and nonpolitical policy approach have long exemplified-to outsiders, at least-rational and humane approaches to crime and criminals. Its criminological research community has long been among the most active, influential, and visible in Europe. Crime and Justice in the Netherlands examines crime and punishment patterns and trends, crime control policies, and research traditions in areas where Dutch research is especially strong, such as immigration, ethnicity and crime, organized crime, organizational crime, delinquency, and sex offending.

There is much to be learned from looking across national boundaries to see similarities and differences among countries. Genuinely international literatures are emerging on a wide range of policy and research subjects. This volume is an important step toward a richer understanding of what are, after all, not uniquely Dutch or French or American problems, but human ones.