4.1 the use of criminological theories in informing policy development

Question 1

Biological theories-

5 responses to crime according to the biological theory

Answer 1

1. Try and fix the offender- through medication; treatment or therapy.
2. Lock the offender up permanently as they cannot he fixed.
3. Sterilise or chemically castrate
4. Deport or banish offender
5. Death penalty

Question 2

Biological theories-
Drug treatments-
* alcohol abuse and heroin addiction

Answer 2

Alcohol abuse-
The drug antabus is used to prevent the body from breaking down the alcohol correcting causing unpleasant hangover like symptoms.

Heroin addiction-
The drug methadone is used as a long-term alternative which prevents withdrawal symptoms

Question 3

Biological theories-
Drug treatments-
* sex offenders
*managing prisoners

Answer 3

Sex offenders-
Stillbestrol is used as a form of chemical castration, it is a female hormone which suppresses testosterone however it can cause breast development and female qualities. It is voluntary in the uk.

Managing prisoners-
sedatives and tranquillisers are often used on troublesome prisoners

Question 4

Biological theories-

Diet

Answer 4

Gesch found supplementing prisoners diets with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids causes ‘remarkable’ reductions in anti social behaviour.

Vitamin B3 has been used to treat a form of schizophrenia

And hyperactivity can be control through diet

Question 5

Biological theories-
Surgery-
*surgical castration
*lobotomy

Answer 5

Surgical castration-
Permanently removing sexual organs

Lobotomy-
A major surgical procedure involving cutting the connection between the frontal lobes and the thalamus

Question 6

Biological theories
Genetic theories-
* eugenics

Answer 6

If behaviour is supposedly passed down from person to person the best way to deal with this must be compulsory sterilisation to stop behaviours being passed down.

Question 7

Individualistic theories-

Aim

Answer 7

Develop treatment programs to reduce criminal behaviour.

Question 8

Individualistic theories-

Psychoanalysis

Answer 8

Using hypnosis and free association to bring unconscious conflicts and repressed emotions into the conscious mind. The patients where seen at least 5 times a week and for years on end.

This treatment is not effective as it is extremely costly with very little positive outcomes and the person conducting the session can abuse a patients mental state when they are most vulnerable.

Question 9

Individualistic theories-

Operant learning and token economies

Answer 9

When an offender reacts in a positive way or shows good behaviour they are rewarded, as they start to realise good behaviour gets reward and negative behaviour gets punishments the negative behaviour disappears.

It is partly effective as behaviour can change very quickly however when the reward is stopped (they are released) they usually return to deviant behaviour.

Question 10

Individualistic theories-
Aversion therapy (Eysenck)

Answer 10

Offenders are asked to think about unacceptable situations such as sexual fantasies until they are aroused or their heart rate raises they are then given an electric shock or nausea inducing drugs until they associate their unacceptable thoughts with punishments

It has limited success as it is usually only short term and can be considered human rights abuse.

Question 11

Individualistic theories-
Cognitive and CBT
-think first

Answer 11

One to one sessions for repeat offenders which aimed to enable offenders to control their thoughts feelings and behaviours.

It is partially effective as 30% are less likely to re-convict yet the completion rate is low.

Question 12

Individualistic theories-
Cognitive theories and CBT-
Aggression replacement training (ART)

Answer 12

Interpersonal skills training to help the individual learn about what makes them angry and why and then also anger management techniques. There is also moral reasoning training that challenges internal dilemmas.
It is effective as there is a much lower re-conviction rate, yet some studies so that thinking skills improved and behaviour did not.

Question 13

Individualistic theories-
Cognitive theories and CBT-
‘What works’

Answer 13

The home office’s ‘what works’ policy aims to ensure that the programs actually reduce offending so follow a criteria-
• clear plan and proven methods for altering offenders behaviours
•careful matching of offenders to the right program
• targeting the risk factors that lead to offending

Question 14

Sociological theories-

Merton and subcultural theories.

Answer 14

• Polices to tackle poverty- better welfare benefits and equal job opportunity/security.
• Equal opportunities in school
• education in prison.

This is effective as societies that focus on welfare have lower crime rates.

Question 15

Sociological theories-

Labelling theory

Answer 15

• decriminalisation of minor offences
• diversion policies- such as anger management.
• using reintegrative shaming which labels the act but not the offender as bad to avoid stigmatising the offender, compared to disintegrative shaming where both the crime and criminal are excluded from society.

These are effective with minor and young offenders who can grow and change.

Question 16

Sociological theories-
Right realism-
Situational crime prevention.

Answer 16

1. Situational crime prevention- aims to reduce opportunities by increasing the risk and reducing rewards
   * this is not effective as criminals then displace their need to commit crime on more vulnerable targets

Question 17

Sociological theories-
Right realism-
Environmental crime prevention

Answer 17

An environmental improvement strategy- all signs of disorder must be tackled promptly.

Zero tolerance policy- all crimes no matter how small must be tackled.

These are not effective as it can lead to targeting ethnic minorities and ignores crime of the powerful.

Question 18

Sociological theories-
Right realism-
Penal populism and imprisonment

Answer 18

Prison forms these functions-
* incapacitation- prisoners cannot harm the public
* deterrence- from commuting crime
Is it effective?
- incapacitation- they may offend against other inmates
-rehabilitation- over crowding and budget cuts mean prisoners cannot have access to key skills
- recidivism- 48% are likely to re-convict within the first year of release.
- Deterrence- prison does not effect overall crime rates

Question 19

Sociological theories-

Left realism

Answer 19

• Policies to reduce inequality
• Democratic policing- neighbourhood policing has been introduced to build a better relationship with communities. And to focus on more serious offences
• multi-agency approach.