Punishments

•Hanging - this is a deterrent as others who see that a person who has committed a crime has been hung, others will not wish to be treated the same and so will avoid this behaviour.

•Prison - this is public protection as it takes the criminal out of society and therefore protects its innocent members.

•Community Service - reparation as the criminal is giving something back to the community.

•Fines - this is also reparation as it's a form of pay back for the criminal.

My Opinion on the Death Penalty

It depends on the crime and depends on the situation, as everyone is different. For example if you have a mental disability it's sometimes unfair to be punished for committing a crime. It's an instant deterrent to the public but it's too easy to just kill someone rather than making the effort to reform them. Prison should be much tougher, as families of for example victims of murder will feel that they want the criminal to be tortured for the rest of their life rather than given an easy way out through a pleasant prison. Overall I believe that the death penalty should be applicable in certain situations but it depends on the circumstances.

Aims of Punishment

RETRIBUTION: This is the idea of an eye for an eye, revenge for the victim

REPARATION: This is idea that the guilty person should compensate the victim/society for his wrong-doing

PUBLIC PROTECTION: The aim of punishment is to protect the public, however unfair on an individual wrongdoer

REHABILITATION: This is the idea that punishment must aim to ensure that the guilty person can fit into society at the end of their punishment. Also seeks to ensure they understand the error in their act.

DETERRENCE: This is the idea that punishment must put the offender, and other potential offenders off reoffending

What is Crime?

 How has society’s view and the criminal law changed over time in respect of:

nPoor children who steal a loaf of bread? – Society will generally have pity as they’re young and poor.

nHomosexuality? – No longer a crime, and society accept homosexuals more.

nDrinking and driving? – Crime as it can be dangerous towards yourself and others.

nChild abuse? – More strict now than before – it’s not illegal to give your child a smack but it’s not seen as socially acceptable.

 

 How do different societies view the following?

nCarrying of firearms? – It’s acceptable for police in most societies however not for normal people in places like the UK. Where as in the USA it’s seen as protection of yourself.

nWomen wearing what they like in public? – In the UK it’s seen as acceptable as everyone has different tastes, where as in countries like India this is seen as completely disrespectful to those around you.

nFreedom of expression in terms of religion? – In countries like Dubai everyone has to follow strict rules e.g. Women have to cover their bodies, fasting at certain times of the year etc. In the UK we have many different religions as we’re a multi-cultural society and so expressing your religious views is acceptable.

 

 Summary

nCrime is a deviation from the norms of a society that the state decides is an offence against it

nWhat is perceived as crime changes over time

nWhat is perceived as crime varies from place to place

nTherefore crime is socially determined, and so are its causes

 

 Social Disorganization Theory

nThis suggests that neighbourhoods plagued with poverty and economic deprivation tend to experience high rates of population turnover.

nThese neighbourhoods also tend to have high population diversity.

nWith high turnover, informal social structure often fails to develop, which in turn makes it difficult to maintain social order in a community.