How Do Criminal Theories Influence Policy Development? Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is informal policy making?
Informal policy making is done by less authoritative figures and are not enforced nationally. It is the Encouraging/discouraging certain types of behaviour.
E.g. don’t drink and drive
What is formal policy making?
Formal policy making refers to governmental policies and laws made by authority figures which go through parliament.
e.g.Units of alcohol in blood = punishment
What are the two forms of formal policy making?
Crime control policies - laws, regulations and other governmental actions designed to reduce crime
State punishment policies - punishments put in place by the government after a crime is committed
What sociological theories influence crime reduction?
Functionalist/ Right Realist
Penal Populism
Zero Tolerance
Prison
Situational Crime Prevention
What sociological theories influence crime reduction?
Strain/ Subcultural
Left Realist
(Marxist)
Reducing Inequality
Democratic Policing
Multi-agency approach
What sociological theories influence crime reduction?
Labelling
Decriminalisation
Diversion Policies
Reintegrative Shaming
Restorative Justice
What sociological theories influence crime reduction?
Surveillance
CCTV
Profiling
What individualistic theories influence crime reduction?
Psychoanalysis
Aversion therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Behaviour Modification
What biological theories influence crime reduction?
Drug treatments, diet, surgery, crowd control and public order offences, Genetics
Drug Treatments
Used to treat/control antisocial behaviour by affecting body’s biochemical processing
Alcohol abuse - triggers violent behaviour to combat this use of Antabuse - causes severe hangover even with a drop of alcohol
Opioid abuse - Vivitrol - treatment for dependency on opioids - blocks receptors - addicts commit crime to fund addiction
Male Sex offenders - Stilbestrol used to reduce men’s sex drive - side effects include breast development
Managing prisoners - Sedatives and tranquilisers used to keep prisoners calm
Diet
Used to treat anti-social behaviour
Gesch et al supplementing prisoners’ diets with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids caused a remarkable reduction in antisocial behaviour
Vitamin B3 is used to treat schizophrenia (linked to violent offences)
Removal of chemicals from food which are linked to hyperactivity
Surgery
Used to alter offending brains/bodies
Surgical castration of sex offenders
Lobotomy - cutting the connection between frontal lobes of the brain and the thalamus
Crowd control and public order offences
Using chemical substances to control groups
Tear gas used against rioters
What do biological theorists argue about the death penalty?
Death penalty should be used for those ‘born a criminal’ - using the death penalty removes criminals and have a better social order.
What is a criticism of using the death penalty to remove ‘born criminals’?
We cannot determine if someone is criminal based on their genetics/ features
Many people in the past who were put to death ended up being innocent
What do biological theorists argue about eugenics?
To improve humanity and society those with negative traits that can be inherited should not be allowed to reproduce as they will be passed down - reduce risk of criminals being born.
There should be higher rates of sexual reproduction amongst those with desired traits
What is a criticism of eugenics?
Seen as unethical
Cant determine If someone is born criminal
Need crime for society to function
How do custodial/non custodial sentences influence crime reduction?
Prison acts as a deterrence - discourages others from committing or reoffending
Helps with rehabilitation - reintegrates offenders back into society and changes behaviour
What are some criticisms of custodial/non custodial sentences?
Not always effective - high reoffending rates
Short sentences aren’t really an effective punishment
How does restorative justice influence crime reduction?
The offender takes responsibility for their actions
Offenders can feel remorse - reflect on their behaviour
How is restorative justice criticised?
RJ relies on co-operation from both parties which doesn’t always happen - offender or victim may refuse
How does CCTV influence crime reduction?
Designed to change the environment where crime occurs - deters criminality
Increases the threat of being identified and evidence being collected
Effective in reducing visible crime - theft/vandalism
How is CCTV criticised?
Not very effective in reducing violent street crime
Not all crime can be tackled this way - domestic abuse
How does the multi-agency approach influence crime reduction?
More communication between agencies in society allows early intervention to take place - schools, media, social services, police etc
No single agency can reduce crime - need support from each other
