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Exam 4 Flashcards

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1
Q

Why is crime considered a symptom and not the core problem?

A

Because it often reflects underlying issues like mental illness, substance abuse, and neurocognitive impairments.

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2
Q

Why is it important to understand why someone made a bad decision?

A

Understanding helps guide behavioral change and informs effective intervention.

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3
Q

What are some key contributors to criminal behavior?

A

Substance use, mental illness, neurocognitive impairments, intellectual deficits, trauma, poverty, educational and employment problems, homelessness.

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4
Q

What is comorbidity in the context of crime?

A

The presence of multiple impairments or conditions, making treatment more complex.

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5
Q

What percentage of Americans 12+ are current illicit drug users?

A

About 27 million, or nearly 10%.

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6
Q

What portion of American drinkers are binge or heavy drinkers?

A

60 million are binge drinkers, 17 million are heavy drinkers.

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7
Q

What percent of criminal offenders abuse substances?

A

Roughly 80%, 6-8 times higher than the general population.

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8
Q

How do addictive substances affect the brain?

A

They trigger excessive dopamine release in reward regions, altering brain structure and function.

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9
Q

What is neuroplasticity?

A

The brain’s ability to change over time in response to stimuli or experience.

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10
Q

What therapy uses neuroplasticity to treat substance use?

A

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aimed at rewiring behavior and thought patterns.

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11
Q

List three cognitive abilities impaired by substance abuse.

A

Sustained attention, self-control, and working memory.

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12
Q

What is the relationship between substance abuse and crime?

A

Substance abuse is implicated in the vast majority of crimes.

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13
Q

What percent of the US has a diagnosable mental disorder?

A

About 25% (62 million people).

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14
Q

What percent of Americans suffer from serious mental illness?

A

About 6%.

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15
Q

What percent of incarcerated women have mental health issues?

A

73% in state prisons, 61% in federal, 75% in jails.

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16
Q

What is decompensation?

A

Worsening of mental health due to untreated illness or environmental factors.

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17
Q

What is the recidivism rate for mentally ill inmates after 4 years?

A

Over 80%.

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18
Q

Is mental illness directly predictive of crime?

A

No, only about 10% of crimes by mentally ill people are directly due to their disorder.

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19
Q

What is the biggest factor in crime among the mentally ill?

A

Comorbidity of mental illness and substance use disorders.

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20
Q

Why is the CJS often the default institution for mental illness?

A

Lack of public mental health services has led to criminalization of mental illness.

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21
Q

What role do community courts play?

A

They divert misdemeanor offenders with mental illness or substance use issues from jail into treatment.

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22
Q

What does neurobiology study in relation to behavior?

A

How neurons and neurotransmitters influence cognitive functions and behavior.

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23
Q

What factors shape neural pathways in the brain?

A

A mix of genetic tendencies and environmental experiences.

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24
Q

What is the prefrontal cortex responsible for?

A

Executive functioning, moral judgment, planning, self-regulation, social cognition.

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25
What happens when executive function is impaired?
Increased risk of antisocial behavior and poor impulse control.
26
How does poverty affect brain development?
It negatively impacts memory, IQ, impulse control, attention, and achievement.
27
List neurocognitive consequences of childhood neglect/abuse.
Impaired IQ, memory, executive function, ADHD, PTSD, risk-taking, lack of empathy.
28
What percent of prison inmates have had a traumatic brain injury?
About 60%.
29
What is an intellectual disability according to the DSM-5?
A condition where general mental abilities are impaired, affecting adaptive functioning.
30
What are some fundamental problems with the criminal justice system (CJS)?
It is reactive, lacks focus on prevention or recidivism reduction, is not evidence-based, and is expensive with poor ROI.
31
What major entities make up the CJS?
Police, courts, and corrections.
32
Why is modern policing considered dysfunctional?
It evolved without a clear design or blueprint and primarily responds rather than prevents.
33
What did Dallas Police Chief David Brown say about policing?
“Policing was never meant to solve all these problems.”
34
How is police training in the U.S. different from Europe?
U.S. training averages 3 months focusing on law and weapons, while Europe requires 1–4 years with in-service training.
35
What are some negative effects of police militarization?
It promotes an 'us vs. them' culture and a warrior mentality.
36
What problems exist with the 911 system?
Underfunded, understaffed, and overstressed, threatening the quality of emergency response.
37
How has cell phone video changed public perception of police use of force?
It has exposed excessive and often racially biased force that previously lacked visibility and accountability.
38
Why is random patrol considered ineffective?
It wastes resources and does not reduce crime.
39
What is hot spots policing?
Targeting areas with high crime concentration with police resources to reduce crime locally.
40
What is problem-oriented policing?
A method that focuses on identifying and solving root problems behind criminal activity.
41
What does community policing aim to do?
Decentralize police presence and build trust between officers and the community.
42
What is the relationship between police recruitment and culture?
Recruitment of ex-military and militaristic training reinforce a warrior culture in policing.
43
What types of calls should be removed from police responsibility?
Mental health crises, school discipline, traffic enforcement, and predictive policing.
44
What is the goal of shifting from a 'warrior' to a 'guardian' police model?
To promote collaboration, prevention, and trust between law enforcement and the community.
45
What is Abby's favorite movie?
Alice in Wonderland (the animated one).
46
What is the modern focus of reinventing policing?
A balanced effort on crime prevention through a collaborative, multi-agency approach (co-production of public safety)
47
Which countries embed prevention in policing?
New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, and others
48
What is a key reform in police training?
Specialization and improved training beyond a one-size-fits-all model
49
What has been the main focus of corrections over the past 50+ years?
Delivering punishment with little focus on reentry or behavioral change
50
What are the current problems with corrections?
Risk-focused supervision, little evidence-based rehabilitation, lack of resources for disordered offenders
51
What changes are needed in corrections?
Proper screening, diversion programs, community resource referrals, and reinvented reentry process
52
Why focus on the courts in justice reform?
Because this is where key decisions are made — especially by prosecutors
53
Why are prosecutors so influential?
They decide what cases to prosecute, what evidence to use, plea deals, and sentencing recommendations
54
How do most prosecutors view their role?
As enforcers of law and punishment, not necessarily seekers of justice
55
What are some common prosecutor quotes about their role?
“I enforce the law.” “We convict if there’s evidence.” “We impose consequences for criminal choices.”
56
How do some prosecutors define justice?
Seeking what is right based on facts; ensuring victims feel they had their day in court
57
What do pragmatic prosecutors focus on?
Case negotiation and docket management
58
How are prosecutors generally perceived?
Tough on crime, focused on convictions, not recidivism
59
Why might prosecutors resist justice reform?
They’re used to punishment, pressured politically, and rely on plea deals for efficiency
60
What do prosecutors believe about their role in reducing recidivism?
Views vary: many say it's not their role, others rely on punishment as deterrence
61
What do prosecutors often believe about recidivism?
That it’s up to the offender; many believe people don't change
62
Why do prosecutors not see recidivism reduction as their job?
They’re trained in law, not behavior or psychology
63
What do some prosecutors suggest for reducing recidivism?
Increased punishment or referring offenders to better quality programs
64
What are some prosecutor views on mental illness and crime?
The justice system isn’t equipped to fix mental health problems
65
What is the goal of prosecution going forward?
Shift from punishment to solving problems and preventing future offenses
66
What changes must happen in prosecution?
Structural, organizational, mindset, and resource shifts
67
What is a major challenge facing prosecutors in reform?
They lack training in psychology, neuroscience, and social work
68
How should prosecutorial decision-making change?
Move from System 1 (intuitive) to System 2 (analytical, deliberate)
69
What decision-making structure is recommended for prosecution?
Collaborative panels with experts (e.g. psych, neuroscience, social work)
70
What does System 2 decision-making involve?
Clinical assessments, intervention planning, and appropriate placement (diversion or incarceration)

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