Ac 4.1 Criminological Theories Informing Policy Development Flashcards

Question

Sociological theories informing policy Development - social structure fundamentalist What is The linked policy for mertons strain theory ?

Answer 1

Princes trust- focus o n getting education and employment to those who need it. For providing opportunities for all, such as free education, social housing, job centres, the government is hoping to reduce blocks on peoples opportunities to reduce crime.

Answer 2

Free education has been successful in achieving a more literate societies- reduce the strain to achieve goals. Quality of education varies so some people may feel strain if they fail to achieve a good education so still turn to crime. Employment in some areas is much higher than others so the policy of reducing the strain still exists

Answer 3

Traditional Marxists think a communist revolution is necessary to get rid of capitalism. This would lead to a crime free society

Answer 4

Communist revolution is unlikely to happen in our society Evidence from other communist revolutions show they do not eliminate crime Many communist societies still have high levels of crime

Answer 5

Monitoring ethnic differences in stop and search- police forces have to record and report the ethnicity of those stop an searched to monitor and reduce stereotyping Changes to media reporting- police and media work together to avoid copycat crimes- media are advised to avoid sensationalising or glorifying crime tp prevents people copying

Answer 6

1- this policy has not led to a reduction on the focus on young black men. Police still stop and search ethnic minorities more than white groups- may lead to self fulfilling prophecy 2- not all media outlets have adhered to the rules of thhe policy, some use pictures and scaremongering stories to amplify people fear of crime. Policy had mixed success.

Answer 7

Reduce early years marginalisation- perry preschool project, experiment followed children from deprived areas who were part of two groups. One half had highly focussed early years support and the other half had no extra support. Those who received this support had significantly lower rates of criminality than the other group, 8 times less likely to go to prison and significantly less likely to have drug or alcohol problems Reduce the use of prison- prisons should be used as little as possible. Ex prisoners face face strong levels of marginalisation, left realists think we should avoid using prisons because it makes marginalisation worse. If we do use prisons it should be used for rehabilitation so they can be part of mainstream society after. If they feel different to others after release they are more likely to reoffend. Restorative justice- suggests that offender should be restored or repaired so that they can rejoin society as better people. To ensure people make progress left suggests more investment in training, counselling and services to help them get back on track. USA- offered a puppy in prison to learn how to take care of something.

Answer 8

1- perry preschool project hugely successful, impact they made reduced crime significantly. 2- may be correct with policy to avoid sending people to prison. Reoffending rates in uk 70% showing prison isn’t a good deterrent. Other countries with more people in prison also have more crime. 3- restorative justice seems to work in many places. In Finland reoffending rates is half what it is in the uk. Puppies behind bars has had a positive impact on the prisoners as they have to compete to become a puppy trainer and only best behaved are chosen

Answer 9

1- environmental crime prevention- increasing the amount of police and CCTV on the streets. Zero tolerance policing used in New York was attributed to right realism. Policy moved a large number of police onto the streets of New York to reduce high crime rates in 1980s. Police asked to arrest people for even smallest offences, littering loitering. Point was to reassert high levels of social control. Argued you could prevent crime by focusing on less serious crime. 2- penal populism- political pressure to increase prison sentences and make prisons tougher. Suggest social control can be applied and asserted by using tough prison sentences, longer sentences, more custodial sentences more punishing prison system. Believe this will deter people from offending. Right realists believe tha in order for deterrence to work prisons must be unpleasant places.

Answer 10

1- zero tolerance policing had positive outcomes, over decade crime dropped by around 70% however crime dropped around the world in this decade. However areas outside of zero tolerance policing zones attracted more crime so crimes don’t decrease they just move from places to place. Some evidence that zero tolerance policing has been used more aggressively with ethnic minorities- accused of being racist policy 2- high prison rates do not lead to low crime rates, reoffending rates in uk 70% showing prison is not a good deterrent. Shown in other countries with high prison rates.