4 - Public Attitudes to CJS Flashcards
What is the criminal justice system?
The governmental organisations that control crime and maintain control on the population
What is the ministry of justice?
Largest government department, with over 77,000 employees and a budget over £6.3bn
What are the priorities of the ministry of justice?
Reduce offending, reduce youth crime, well run prisons, well run courts, need of victim first
Why should the public be heard?
Democracy. Influences most aspects of CJS e.g. policing, sentencing
What are some common misconceptions about the CJS?
Belief crime is increasing, lack of knowledge on sentencing, underestimation of the use of prison for serious offenders
Where does public knowledge of the CJS come from?
Direct experiences: jury duty, witnesses, secondary victimisation.
Indirect experiences: media, common knowledge, knowing victims of crime
What would be the best way to improve public knowledge about the CJS? What are the difficulties with this?
Media. Getting the public to engage with the info
What type of people believe in punitive justice?
People with highly conservative beliefs, highly religious people, people who believe in a just world
What did Mori (2009) find regarding public confidence in the CJS?
Over 75% have confidence in CJS respect for rights of accused persons
Less than 25% have confidence in CJS effectiveness for reducing crime
What are the Secure Training Orders?
routine incarceration of children aged 12-14 years, doubling of maximum sentence for young offenders, empowerment of the court to sentence 10-13 year olds to lengthy sentences
What is Megan’s Law (US)?
state law - requires sex offender registration
federal law - requires community notification
What is the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (UK)?
parents can discover whether a named individual is on the sex offender register
