Financial offences most frequent type of crime in Jordan — study

AMMAN — Financial offences and fraud are the most common types of crime in the Kingdom, according to a study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Jordan.

The study, titled “Inmates in Rehabilitation Centres”, indicated that the second most common types of crime in Jordan are felonies and misdemeanours, followed by immoral acts in public and drug use. 

Researchers from the Scientific Research Support Fund examined crime in Jordan since 1980, noting that the crime rate recorded an increase over the years. 

“The increasing crime rate in the country is due to regional changes, as well as the influx of refugees and residents in urban and rural areas,” said Hmoud Oleimat, one of the researchers involved in the study, which was conducted over two years.

According to Oleimat, the aim of the study is to “identify the social and economic conditions of inmates and their families, and rate their needs for development to socially empower the families and ensure their stability in the absence of their breadwinners”.

Speaking at a seminar held on Sunday to discuss the findings, he said the study includes a review and analysis of criminal cases between 1980 and 2014 in order to identify crime trends over time in relation to economic, social and regional conditions, especially the increasing rate of migrations to Jordan.

The study also draws on additional statistical and personal data from the Department of Statistics and information about inmates and their families collected by the research team, Oleimat added. 

He described the crimes recorded as either individual or collective behaviours of people experiencing harsh social, personal, or economic circumstances.

“The study emphasises the need to raise awareness of [issues affecting] inmates from the economic, humanitarian and social perspectives to encourage associations and civil society organisations to provide the necessary assistance and support prisoners and their families, especially those referred to rehabilitation centres,” he said.

The researcher stressed the need to find alternatives to existing penalties in order to limit the number of prisoners, calling for categorising and housing inmates by age and type of crime committed. 

“Keeping prisoners in the same cell regardless of the crime they committed and their age can enhance the possibility of developing their criminal thoughts and committing more serious acts,” he said. 

The study also emphasises the importance of reviewing and amending legislation to make penalties more effective, monitoring professional criminals and providing a follow-up programme for those released, the researcher added.