Abstract
Governments have to make tough decisions about priorities when there are limited resources available. The fight against crime has to share the spotlight with health, welfare, education, defence and other issues. It is imperative, therefore to know the size and nature of the problems faced by the criminal justice system. This Trends and Issues is a major attempt to fit together all the pieces of the jigsaw. Its conclusion make a significant contribution it our knowledge about cost of crime and the criminal justice system, and will greatly assist planners and policy makers.