Sociological theories informing policy development

Question 1

What is penal populism?

Answer 1

When the government proposes laws to punish offenders that will be popular with the public. Professor David Wilson (2014) said this started with the James Bulger case.

Question 2

Why do parties use penal populism?

Answer 2

The media creates moral panic and parties believe they need to be tough on crime.

Question 3

What theories influenced penal populism?

Answer 3

Right Realism

Question 4

Weaknesses of penal populism

Answer 4

Being tough on crime contributes to prison overcrowding

Question 5

What theories influence prison?

Answer 5

Functionalism and Right Realism

Question 6

What were prisons originally for?

Answer 6

For holding offenders before they were sent to do hard physical work

Question 7

How many people are in prison now?

Answer 7

Prison population has risen by 70% over the last 30 years. In March 2024 it was 97,700

Question 8

Strengths of prison as a crime control policy

Answer 8

• Takes criminals out of mainstream society
• May act as a deterrent

Question 9

Weaknesses of prison

Answer 9

• Short prison sentences less effective at reducing reoffending than community sentences
• 1/2 of prisons don’t meet safety standards
• Expensive
• Institutionalisation and high recidivism rates

Question 10

What is zero tolerance policing?

Answer 10

Harshly policing all crime, even minor crimes

Question 11

What theory influenced zero tolerance policing?

Answer 11

Right Realism

Question 12

Strengths of zero tolerance policing

Answer 12

• May act as a deterrent
• Aims to keep communities safe
• Practical way to tackle crime and prevent crime from escalating

Question 13

Weaknesses of zero tolerance policing

Answer 13

• Little evidence it works as a deterrent
• Doesn’t acknowledge root causes of crime
• Certain groups and areas become excessively policed
• May displace crime to other areas