Crime and Violence in Central America : A Development Challenge - Executive Summary

World Bank

dc.creator	World Bank
dc.date	2012-03-19T10:26:15Z
dc.date	2012-03-19T10:26:15Z
dc.date	2010-09-01
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-17T20:45:03Z
dc.date.available	2023-02-17T20:45:03Z
dc.identifier	http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000333038_20110419234611
dc.identifier	http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2979
dc.identifier.uri	http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/CUHPOERS/243330
dc.description	Crime and violence are now a key development issue for Central American countries. In three nations El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras crime rates are among the top five in Latin America. This report argues that successful strategies require actions along multiple fronts, combining prevention and criminal justice reform, together with regional approaches in the areas of drug trafficking and firearms. It also argues that interventions should be evidence based, starting with a clear understanding of the risk factors involved and ending with a careful evaluation of how any planned action might affect future options. In addition, the design of national crime reduction plans and the establishment of national cross-sectoral crime commissions are important steps to coordinate the actions of different government branches, ease cross-sectoral collaboration and prioritize resource allocation. Of equal importance is the fact that national plans offer a vehicle for the involvement of civil society organizations, in which much of the expertise in violence prevention and rehabilitation resides. Prevention efforts need to be complemented by effective law enforcement. The required reforms are no longer primarily legislative in nature because all six countries have advanced toward more transparent adversarial criminal procedures. The second-generation reforms should instead help deliver on the promises of previous reforms by: (i) strengthening key institutions and improving the quality and timeliness of the services they provide to citizens; (ii) improving efficiency and effectiveness while respecting due process and human rights; (iii) ensuring accountability and addressing corruption; (iv) increasing inter-agency collaboration; and (v) improving access to justice, especially for poor and disenfranchised groups. Specific interventions reviewed in the report include: information systems and performance indicators as a prerequisite to improve inter-institutional coordination and information sharing mechanisms; an internal overhaul of court administration and case management to create rapid reaction, one-stop shops; the strengthening of entities that provide legal counseling to the poor and to women; and the promotion of alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms and the implementation of community policing programs.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	World Bank
dc.rights	CC BY 3.0 IGO
dc.rights	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/
dc.rights	World Bank
dc.subject	ACCIDENT
dc.subject	ACCOUNTABILITY
dc.subject	ACCOUNTING
dc.subject	AGE AT MARRIAGE
dc.subject	AGED
dc.subject	ALCOHOL
dc.subject	ARMED CONFLICT
dc.subject	ASSAULT
dc.subject	ASSAULT RATE
dc.subject	ASSAULTS
dc.subject	ATTORNEYS
dc.subject	BRIBERY
dc.subject	BURGLARY
dc.subject	CASE MANAGEMENT
dc.subject	CIVIL SOCIETY
dc.subject	CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
dc.subject	COCAINE
dc.subject	COERCION
dc.subject	COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
dc.subject	CONFIDENCE
dc.subject	CORRUPTION
dc.subject	COURTS
dc.subject	CRIME
dc.subject	CRIME PREVENTION
dc.subject	CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES
dc.subject	CRIME RATES
dc.subject	CRIME REDUCTION
dc.subject	CRIME STATISTIC
dc.subject	CRIME STATISTICS
dc.subject	CRIME VICTIMIZATION
dc.subject	CRIME VICTIMS
dc.subject	CRIMES
dc.subject	CRIMINAL
dc.subject	CRIMINAL ACT
dc.subject	CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
dc.subject	CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
dc.subject	CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
dc.subject	CRIMINAL CODES
dc.subject	CRIMINAL DEPORTEES
dc.subject	CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
dc.subject	CRIMINAL JUSTICE
dc.subject	CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
dc.subject	CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS
dc.subject	CRIMINALS
dc.subject	DELINQUENCY
dc.subject	DEMOCRACIES
dc.subject	DEMOCRACY
dc.subject	DEPORTATION
dc.subject	DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
dc.subject	DRINKING
dc.subject	DRUG
dc.subject	DRUG ABUSE
dc.subject	DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT
dc.subject	DRUG TRADE
dc.subject	DRUG TRAFFICKERS
dc.subject	DRUG TRAFFICKING
dc.subject	DRUG USE
dc.subject	DRUGS
dc.subject	DUE PROCESS
dc.subject	EARLY CHILDHOOD
dc.subject	EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
dc.subject	EXTORTION
dc.subject	FAMILIES
dc.subject	FIREARMS
dc.subject	FRAUD
dc.subject	GANG
dc.subject	GANG MEMBERS
dc.subject	GANGS
dc.subject	GUN
dc.subject	GUN INTERDICTION
dc.subject	GUN OWNERSHIP
dc.subject	GUN REGISTRIES
dc.subject	GUNS
dc.subject	HARM REDUCTION
dc.subject	HIGH CRIME
dc.subject	HIGH-RISK
dc.subject	HOMICIDE
dc.subject	HOMICIDE RATE
dc.subject	HOMICIDE RATES
dc.subject	HOMICIDES
dc.subject	HUMAN RIGHTS
dc.subject	INCARCERATED YOUTH
dc.subject	INITIATIVE
dc.subject	INJURIES
dc.subject	INJURY
dc.subject	INSECURITY
dc.subject	INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
dc.subject	INTERNATIONAL CRIME
dc.subject	INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
dc.subject	INTERVENTION
dc.subject	INTIMATE PARTNER
dc.subject	INVESTIGATION
dc.subject	IRON
dc.subject	JUDICIAL SYSTEM
dc.subject	JUDICIARY
dc.subject	JUVENILE JUSTICE
dc.subject	JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITIES
dc.subject	KIDNAPPERS
dc.subject	KIDNAPPING
dc.subject	LAW ENFORCEMENT
dc.subject	LAWLESSNESS
dc.subject	LAWS
dc.subject	LEGAL FRAMEWORKS
dc.subject	LEGAL SYSTEMS
dc.subject	LEGISLATION
dc.subject	LEVELS OF CRIME
dc.subject	LYNCHING
dc.subject	MEDIA
dc.subject	MENTORING
dc.subject	MIGRATION
dc.subject	MURDER
dc.subject	MURDER RATES
dc.subject	MURDERS
dc.subject	NARCOTICS
dc.subject	NARCOTICS CONTROL
dc.subject	NEEDS OF YOUTH
dc.subject	OFFENDERS
dc.subject	ORGANIZED CRIME
dc.subject	PARENTING
dc.subject	PENALTY
dc.subject	PERPETRATORS
dc.subject	PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE
dc.subject	POLICE
dc.subject	POLICE OFFICERS
dc.subject	POLITICAL WILL
dc.subject	PRE-TRIAL DETENTION
dc.subject	PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE
dc.subject	PRISON
dc.subject	PRISONS
dc.subject	PROPERTY CRIME
dc.subject	PROSECUTION
dc.subject	PROSECUTORS
dc.subject	PROSTITUTES
dc.subject	PUBLIC HEALTH
dc.subject	PUBLIC OFFICIALS
dc.subject	PUBLIC OPINION
dc.subject	RAPE
dc.subject	RATES OF CRIME
dc.subject	RISK FACTORS
dc.subject	ROBBERIES
dc.subject	ROBBERY
dc.subject	RULE OF LAW
dc.subject	SECONDARY SCHOOLS
dc.subject	SECURITY COSTS
dc.subject	SENTENCING
dc.subject	SEVERE VIOLENCE
dc.subject	SEX
dc.subject	SEX INDUSTRY
dc.subject	SEXUAL ABUSE
dc.subject	SEXUAL ASSAULT
dc.subject	SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP
dc.subject	SEXUAL VIOLENCE
dc.subject	SLUM
dc.subject	SLUM UPGRADING
dc.subject	SLUM-UPGRADING
dc.subject	SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	SOCIAL ISOLATION
dc.subject	SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
dc.subject	STREET VENDORS
dc.subject	TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
dc.subject	TERRORISM
dc.subject	THEFT
dc.subject	THEFTS
dc.subject	TORTURE
dc.subject	TRAFFICKING
dc.subject	TRANSPARENCY
dc.subject	TRIAL
dc.subject	VICTIMS
dc.subject	VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
dc.subject	VIOLENCE
dc.subject	VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
dc.subject	VIOLENCE PREVENTION
dc.subject	VIOLENT CONDUCT
dc.subject	VIOLENT CRIME
dc.subject	WAR
dc.subject	WEAPON
dc.subject	WEAPONS
dc.subject	YOUNG MEN
dc.subject	YOUTH
dc.subject	YOUTH ACTIVITIES
dc.subject	YOUTH GANGS
dc.subject	YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
dc.subject	YOUTH VIOLENCE
dc.title	Crime and Violence in Central America : A Development Challenge - Executive Summary
dc.type	Economic & Sector Work :: Other Poverty Study
dc.coverage	Latin America & Caribbean
dc.coverage	Central America