6. EFFECTS OF IMPRISONMENT Flashcards

1
Q

Examples of punishments for offenders

A

Imprisonment (incarceration, rehabilitation, deterrent + punishment)
Electronic tagging
Restorative justice (offender meets victim)
Community service

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2
Q

What is recidivism

A

Repeat offending

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3
Q

What is the recidivism rate

A

Rate at which offenders commit other crime

Measured by arrest or conviction

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4
Q

Walker + Farrington

Aim

A

Investigate effectiveness of different punishments on recidivism rates

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5
Q

Walker + Farrington

Procedure

A

Follow over 2069. male offenders after they were released

Types of sentences studies= prison/probation/fine

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6
Q

Walker + Farringotn

Results

A

No previous convictions= prison most effective (puts them off)
1-4 convictions= probation
5+= no punishment to reduce recidivism rates

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7
Q

Walker + Farrington

What does this research suggest?

A

Number of previous convictions only variable to influence which punishments might be more effective

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8
Q

Walker + Farrington

Pros

A

Population validity- large sample (2069)
Useful applications
Ecological validity

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9
Q

Walker + Farrington

Cons

A

Androcentric
Reductionist conclusions
Lack of control

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10
Q

What is Azjen’s theory of planned behaviour

A

Offender commits crime due to:
1. attitude towards their behaviour
2. their perceived control in life (job? etc)
An offenders new training for job for example has:
1. more attitude towards, their behaviour
2. increased control (£, new relationships, etc)

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11
Q

What does Azjen’s theory suggest

A

Need to change the way offenders perceive themselves + their lives

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12
Q

Gillis + Nafekh

Aim

A

Investigate the effect on recidivism rates of a community based on employment schemes

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13
Q

Gillis + Nafekh

Method

A

Analysed data from Canada’s offender management system:

  • 23,000 individuals released (1998-2005)
  • longitudinal
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14
Q

Gillis + Nafekh

Two groups of offenders

A

Mostly fraud/drug crime
1. experimental- completed employment programme + secured jobs prior to release (CHOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN STUDY- BIASED)
2. control- no training
Matched pairs design- gender, risk-level, release year, sentence length

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15
Q

Gillis + Nafekh

Results

A

Experimental= less likely to reoffend (70% stayed out, 55% of control)
Median return time= longer for experimental group (37 months compared to 11)

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16
Q

What does research by Gillis + Nafekh’s result suggest

A

Employment programs reduce likelihood of reoffending

17
Q

Gillis + Nafekh

Pros

A

Population validity- large sample (23,000)
Useful applications (employment programmes)
Quantitative data
Matched pairs (reduces confounding variables)

18
Q

Gillis + Nafekh

Cons

A

Bias as experimental group chose to participate (confounding variables)
Lacks qualitative data
Ethnocentric (Canada)
Lack of data validity (1. may commit crime + not get caught, 2. may offend after study // extending study= expensive)

19
Q

Prison situation + roles
Zimbardo + Haney
Aim

A

Investigate psychological effects of being assigned the role of either prison guard oe prisoner in stimulated prison situation

20
Q

Zimbardo + Haney

Sample

A

Volunteer- newspaper advertisement
15$ per day
24 men selected (most physically + mentally stable- identified through psychoanalysis- control)
15 guards (only rule= no physical violence), 9 prisoners
Prison built in basement of Stanford uni

21
Q

Zimbardo

Uniform

A

Guard- khaki shirt + trousers, whistle, wooden pattern (power), reflecting sun glasses (no eye contact)
Prisoner- loose fitting muslin smock with identification number, no underwear, rubber sandals, hat + light chain around ankle (deinindivuate)

22
Q

Zimbardo

Arrest procedure

A

Unexpectedly arrested at their homes, charged with suspicion of burglary/armed robbery. Told rights, handcuffed, taken to prison
At prison- fingerprints taken, blind folder
-stripped
-sprayed with delousing prep
-stood alone naked in ‘yard’
-given uniform + mug shot
-referred to only by ID number- depersonalise
-3 meals a day, 2 hours of privilege (e.g. reading)

23
Q

Zimbardo

Results

A

Ps seemed to believe their allocated role
Pathological prisoner- loss of identity due to depersonalisation + extreme emotional depression
Arbitrary control- punished for anything (e.g. laughing at joke= punishable, not laughing also punishable), abused power
Pathology of power- increased verbal + physical aggression

24
Q

Zimbardo

Conclusion

A

Study demonstrates powerful effects of prison situation

People alter behaviour to suit role

25
Zimbardo | Pros
Useful applications- train guards to moderate behaviour High levels of control- psychometric testing before choosing Ps Standardised
26
Zimbardo | Cons
Androcentric Unethical (protection, right to withdraw) Low ecological validity- duration only 14 days. uniform unrealistic Reduced temporal validity- 1973 Demand characteristics
27
Restorative justice
Victim (or victims family) meet offender with impartial facilitator Should increase victim empathy + get offender to accept responsibility Reduces recidivism
28
Types of restorative justice
1. victim- offender mediation | 2. group conferencing
29
Sherman + Strang aim
Test effectiveness of restorative justice
30
Sherman + Strang method
Reviewed 36 case studies that have looked at RJP + recidivism- using experimental + control groups
31
Sherman + Strang results
Significant reduction in reoffending for violence + property crime Can reduce post-traumatic shock for victim Alternative to sole imprisonment for certain types of crime
32
Pros of restorative justice
Closure for victim (reduce post-traumatic shock) Reduce recidivism Less expensive than imprisonment + employment schemes Tested with high levels of control
33
Cons of restorative justice
Only effective of violence + property crimes Might advertise crime as 'soft' punishment Mediator needs to be trained to guarantee success Social desirability bias