Attitudes To Crime Flashcards
Why do we punish those who have committed crimes? 6 reasons
-to discipline
-for retribution (revenge)
-to deter
-to reform
-to keep order
-to protect
Why have the reasons we punish criminals changed over time? 6 points
-social change (eg urbanisation)
-role of the media (impression of rising crime)
-ideas and attitudes (eg industrial was more influenced by humanitarian ideas)
-fear of crime
-wealth and poverty (eg more poverty in tutour times = vagrancy laws)
-actions of individuals (like prison reformers)
Why was the bloody code introduced?
-fear of rise in crime in the 17th centuary meant punishments needed to be harsh
-increased reporting of crime gave the impression of rising crime rates
-increase in new crimes like highway robbery and smuggling
What was the real name for the bloody code?
Waltham Black Act
When was the Waltham Black Act passed?
1723
When the bloody code was introduced, how many crimes became punishable by death? Give some examples?
-255
-pickpocketing and sending threatening letters
Why was the bloody code abolished?
-juries became reluctant to convict those accused of minor crimes as it felt unfair
-attitudes were shifting more towards reform of criminals
-new punishments like transportation available
-large (possibly rioting) crowds made it hard for authorities to keep order
When was the end of public excecutions?
1868
When was the abolition of corporal punishment?
1948
When was the abolition of capital punishment?
1969
What happened in the 1930 attempt to end capital punishment?
-A government select committee recommended ending capital punishment for 5 years
-the home secretary did not accept this
In what two years did MPs vote to abolish capital punishment and what was the reaction?
-1948 and 1956
-the House of Lords overturned their decision
In what year was capital punishment restricted to 5 crimes?
-1957
What 5 crimes was capital punishment restricted to in 1957?
-murder of a police/prison officer
-murder by shooting/explosion
-murder while resisting arrest
-murder while carrying out theft
-murder of multiple people
What were the argument for the death penalty in the 20th century?
-dead murderers can’t kill again
-prison is expensive
-ultimate deterrent
-justice for the victims family’s and society
What were the arguments against the death penalty in the 20th century?
-the wrong person may be hanged
-barbaric
-everyone has the opportunity to be reformed
-didn’t take into account the different mental states of criminals
How did the case of Timothy Evan’s contribute to the ending of the death sentence?
-accused of killing his wife and daughter
-confessed (probably due to high stress environment)
-hanged
-police lacked forensic expertise and didn’t investigate closely enough
-later it was found that the downstairs neighbour was the serial killer
How did the case of Derek Bentley contribute to the ending of capital punishment?
-found guilty in being the accomplice in the murder of a police officer while carrying out burglary
-didn’t actually commit the murder but was heard to shout “let him have it”
-the murderer (16 year old Craig) went to prison (minor)
-Derek hanged
-caused uproar as he had the mental capacity of an 11 year old
How did the case of Ruth Ellis contribute to the elimination of the death sentence?
-she shot her lover after a stormy affair in which he had assaulted her on many occasions
-he had had many affairs with other women during this relationship
-was refused as being a crime of passion
Which out of the separate and silent system was reform and which was punishment?
-separate = reform (isolated so they could reflect)
-silent = punishment (hard discipline so they’d never dare offend again
When was the Gladstone committee?
1895
What were the findings of the Gladstone committee?
-isolation was not reforming prisoners
-juvenile prisoners should not be treated as harshly as
-younger prisoners should be given an education
What did the government do in response to the Gladstone committee?
-time that prisoners were kept isolated was reduced
-unproductive labour was abolished
-first borstal opened
When was hard labour (crank, treadmill) abolished?
1902
