This volume examines the relationship between states and organized crime. It seeks to add to the theoretical literature for analyzing the criminalization of the state. The volume also explores the nature of organized crime in countries throughout the Americas from Central America to the Southern Cone.

This volume examines the relationship between states and organized crime. It seeks to add to the theoretical literature for analyzing the criminalization of the state. The volume also explores the nature of organized crime in countries throughout the Americas from Central America to the Southern Cone. -From the Publisher.

Offering a unique look at organized crime, this book focuses on the political responses to this social problem. Complete with a history and description of the issue, it addresses the emergence of organized crime in the Unites States and discusses the political, social and economic factors that allowed it to thrive. It moves beyond other books to reveal the actions taken by the federal government to reduce the criminal activity committed by these groups. With the focus on criminal justice and politics, the book examines the major crime families, the major legislations, and the evolution of this world wide phenomenon. Focuses on the political responses to organized crime giving readers aunique view of the topic. Emphasizes the relationship between criminal justice, politics and organized crime throughout the book. Provides a solid history of organized crime in the U.S. Describes the major crime familiesin New York and other cities such as Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Denver. Devotes a chapter to the future of organized crime - Considers where we have been in terms of fighting organized crime and where we need to go in terms of preventing it. Law enforcement professionals and those interested in the political response to a social problem of organized crime.

This text recognizes that crimes of the state are far more serious and harmful than crimes committed by individuals, and considers how such crimes may be contested, prevented, challenged or stopped.

Standards designed for adoption at the state and local levels for the purpose of preventing and reducing organized crime in America are presented in this comprehensive report. The standards recommended in this report were formulated to assist all sectors of the community, as well as the agencies of state and local governments. As a unit, these standards constitute a comprehensive plan for the prevention and control of organized criminal activity in this country. Following the introductory remarks, a brief history of organized criminal activity in the united states, a description of the general characteristics of organized crime, and the results of a study of the various ways state and local governments have dealt with the problem are presented. Part 3 of this report presents standards to guide state and local governments, officials of the criminal justice system, and private citizens in the design and implementation of programs to combat organized criminal operations. These standards are based on successful models operating in the states or on concepts that the task force and the national advisory committee considered necessary for effective prevention and control of organized crime. Proposals for state and local administrative and regulatory agencies to participate in organized crime control programs to the fullest extent of their statutory authority are contained in chapter 4. The standards in chapters 5 through 8 recommend specific policies, law enforcement mechanisms, prosecutorial tools, and legal procedures for adoption by the criminal justice system. The standards in chapter 9 recommend that appropriate training programs in organized crime control be instituted for all levels of the criminal justice system. General educational programs for the private sector are also recommended.

Geopolitics is an increasingly important tool to understand national and international relations. This book unravels how organized crime is not just a marginal problem but part of a bigger geopolitical and asymmetrical warfare strategy. It seeks to establish a direct relationship between Nation States and organized crime groups. Many States have been using criminal and terrorist organizations as a policy for issues of national sovereignty or as a tool to strengthen a nation’s geopolitical position. This book demonstrates how national states are utilizing criminal organizations in covert operations and "dirty jobs" such as espionage, proxy war, arms trafficking and sabotage. Examples from the United States, China and the Soviet Union are explored, providing both an historical and contemporary analysis, from World War II through to the Cold War and to the present day. The book brings together perspectives from international relations and criminology drawing on insights from a variety of sources, including public documents and interviews.

One of the more dangerous contemporary threats to the quality of life is the collaboration of the political establishment with the criminal underworld - the political-criminal nexus (PCN). This active partnership increasingly undermines the rule of law, human rights, and economic development in many parts of the world. States in transition are especially at risk. Despite the magnitude of the threat, there is little understanding of the security threats by the PCNs and how and why political-criminal relationships are formed and maintained. Menace to Society is the first attempt to develop an analytical framework for making generalizations about this contemporary scourge. Case studies of Colombia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia and Ukraine, and the United States by leading scholars and practitioners included here answer such key questions as: How do PCNs get established? How is a PCN maintained, and destroyed? What do the participants want from each other in a PCN? What can be learned from those who have successfully countered the PCN? The findings indicate that political, economic, and cultural factors play a significant role in the formation and evolution of PCNs. When the institutions of the state are weak, as in Nigeria and Colombia, it is difficult for the state to prevent political-criminal collaboration. A lack of checks and balances, either from civil society or opposition political parties such as described in the cases of Mexico and Russia, is a key factor. Cultural patterns tend to facilitate this kind of collaboration. Markets and economics, too, bear on the PCN issue. The supply and demand for illegal goods and services, not only drugs, in many countries creates a market controlled by criminals who need political help to "run" their business. Menance to Society will be critical reading for security planners, foreign and military policymakers, and political scientists.

Considers S. 30 and nine related bills, to revise criminal immunity provisions and grand jury authority, and to establish an Assistant Attorney General for Organized Crime. Focuses on constitutional issues of immunity from prosecution and Fifth Amendment rights. Includes a list of alleged La Cosa Nostra leadership in 1960 and 1969.