4.1 - Policy development (biological)

Question 1

Formal policy making

Answer 1

Imposed by the state (i.e. custodial sentences)

Question 2

Informal policy making

Answer 2

Non-official ideas to prevent crime (i.e. support groups)

Question 3

Types of biological policy development

Answer 3

• Eugenics (genetic ex.)
• Drugs (biochemical ex.)
• Diet (brain damage ex.)
• Death penalty (all)

Question 4

Aim of biological policies

Answer 4

To change the working of the criminal’s brain/body & cure condition causing criminality

Question 5

Drug - Antabuse

Answer 5

Treats substance abuse - aversion therapy to treat alcoholism -> gives hangover style symptoms due to preventing the body from breaking down the alcohol

Question 6

Drug - Methadone

Answer 6

Treats substance abuse - heroine addictions -> long-term alternative to heroin & prevent withdrawal symptoms (help to reduce crime)

Question 7

Drug - Stillbestrol

Answer 7

Lowering testosterone - form of chemical castration to treat male prisoners -> female hormone that suppresses testosterone as a way of reducing sex drive (side effects: serious psychiatric disorders, breast development & study: 2012 HMP Whatton - positive reception)

Question 8

Drug treatments: effective

Answer 8

+ Has been used successfully
+ Recidivism rates lowered (chem castration)
- Side effects such as psychiatric disorders
- Costly
- Dependency on drugs

Question 9

Modifying diet

Answer 9

Criminals have lower levels of serotonin (consuming eggs, salmon, pineapple), lower omega-3 -> aggression (supplements), sugar (reduced sugar = reduced anti-social)

Question 10

Modifying diet: effective

Answer 10

+ Promising research
- Not practical as prisons do not have enough funding to provide different diets
- Cannot force someone outside of prison to follow a specific diet

Question 11

Surgery

Answer 11

Alter brains/bodies to prevent them offending
- Surgical castration: used on sex offenders to change offending behaviour
- Lobotomy: cutting connection between frontal lobe & thalamus to treat sexually motivated & spontaneously violent criminals

Question 12

Genetics: Eugenics

Answer 12

Fear that humans would degenerate if criminals/poor breed at a faster rates than the higher classes -> passing on inferior genes of criminality & lower intelligence -> lower moral quality of population

Question 13

Eugenics: compulsory sterilisation

Answer 13

Argue the ‘genetically unfit’ should be prevented from breeding -> favour policies such as compulsory sterilisation -> pressure groups to campaign

Question 14

Eugenics: effective

Answer 14

• Leads to controversial & criminal acts such as Nazi genocides