1. The Criminal Justice Statistics in Portugal
History
Coverage
Hermes Project
Sources
Collection methods
Information collected

2. History
1936 – First edition of “Justice Statistics”
National Statistics Institute empowered the GEP/GPLP to collect, treat and release statistical data within the sphere of the justice statistics

3. Coverage
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

4. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Sources
Aim to cover all police forces
- 1993: 4 types
- 2005: 10 types (of 11)
Aim to cover Prosecution
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

5. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Collection methods
-Paper forms
-Web forms
-Direct transfer of files (Criminal Police)
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

6. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Collection methods
Recording rules and definitions of crimes are in writing (Manual)
Data are collected after the offence is recorded, but before police completes investigation (end of the month in witch offences are recorded)
Cases (not offences) are counted
Principal offence rule
1998: New collection method – elimination of double counting
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

7. Information collected
Coverage
Information collected
By type of crime:
Cases reported
Offenders and victims involved:
Legal persons (since 2005)
Gender
Age brackets
-(+ arrested)
Value of crime
Weapons used
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

8. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Sources
All prosecution services
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

9. Collection methods and information collected
Coverage
Collection methods and information collected
-Paper forms (cases flow, by categories of crime)
-Direct transfer of files (2006)
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

10. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Sources
All courts
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

11. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Collection methods
Paper forms (2 types):
Cases flow
Detailed data on each completed case (principal offence rule)
Direct transfer of files (2006)
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

12. Information collected
Coverage
Information collected
Case:
Type, dates, number, court...
Defendant:
Gender, birth date, marital status, residence, national/non-national, criminal background, work, type of crime in prosecution stage/conviction, court decision, length of prison sentence….
Victim:
Legal person/ Gender, birth date…
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

13. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Sources
All prison services (through Prison Services Directorate)
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

14. 2. Prosecution statistics
Coverage
Collection methods
Output tables filled in by Prison Services Directorate
Direct transfer of files (2006)
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

15. Information collected
Coverage
Information collected
Prison population flow
Convicted prison population
Pre-trial detainees
Some detail data:
Gender, education level, age brackets, nationality, type of crime…
1. Police statistics
2. Prosecution statistics
3. Court statistics
4. Prison statistics

16. Hermes Project alter the collecting method
better analysis of the recorded figures
make available on line the statistical data
Data on recorded crimes by prosecution
Integrated criminal statistical system – Data from all services related by unique file number
More accurate and detailed data at each phase
Integration with social and economic indicators
Time series on recorded crimes (since 1993) and convictions (1991) available on line