Crime and Deviance Flashcards
Why do the Bourgeoise get away with crimes?
- Can afford better lawyers
- Will bribe individuals
- Have authoritative contacts
Corporation Crime - Volkswagen
Volkswagen cheated emission tests so they would not need to pay high taxes on their vehicles. The chief executive has resigned and the company was sentenced fines.
Corporation Crime - Starbucks
Starbucks has been committing tax avoidance by paying significantly less corporation tax than it should have. Its profits had been transferred to offshore accounts to reduce the amount of tax they were paying in the UK. Fines were issued.
Example of Benefit Fraud
Anthony Kearney and Donna McCafferty (2010) were imprisoned for 2 years and sentenced to 250hrs of community service after committing benefit fraud and several credit card frauds, despite having large savings in offshore accounts.
Government Crime - MP Scandal
Almost 20 MPs pocketed up to £180,000 each after selling their taxpayer-funded second homes for a profit, in recent years. In most cases, MPs will resign from their positions or be issued fines.
Why are there high crime rates in urban areas?
High density population
- more opportunities, e.g. cat burglary
- people less likely to know everyone in their community so criminals go unnoticed
- police use formal methods of policing which can be ineffective
Social deprivation
- low incomes
- high unemployment
Community Policing
Suggested in the Macpherson report:
- Police have a neighbourhood to deal with.
- Officers are of the same ethnicity as community
- Officers assigned to schools to teach them about Joint Enterprise, for example.
Zero Tolerance
- Much harsher sanctions, e.g. criminal record
- No petty crimes are excused
- Anti-social behaviour is taken seriously
- Based on ‘broken window’ theory - deal with crime before it worsens
- Aims to deter people from committing crime
- Can lead to ethnic minorities feeling victimised (e.g. black people are three times more likely to be stopped and searched)
Mosquito Devices
- Release a high-pitched sound best heard by 16-25 year olds
- Aims to stop loitering/damaging property
- Over 3,000 devices have been put in shops and public places
- Critics argue it goes against basic human rights
Judiciary System
Branch of government given the authority to implement the law, adjudicate legal disputes, and otherwise administer justice.
- Involves MPs, judges and lawyers
- Responsible for courts, prisons and probation services (supervision)
Penal System
Refers to the network of agencies that administer prison and community based programs like parole (temporary prison release) and probation (supervision).
- Involves anyone responsible for supporting or dealing with criminals, e.g. police officers, probation officers, psychologists etc.
Prisons Facts
- 81 out of 138 prisons in the UK are overcrowded
- To house a prisoner each year costs taxpayers £40,000
Young people and reoffending
- Young people who have committed non-violent crimes are likely to reoffend within two years.
- Short term prisoners do not receive the same level of support - education, counselling and rehabilitation.
Why do women commit less crime than men?
- Gender socialisation, e.g. boys associated with pirates
- Girls are more closely supervised and controlled by the family so have fewer opportunities to commit crime, e.g. early curfew
- Women have more responsibility in the family, e.g. consider their children etc.
Why do men commit more crime than women?
- Gender socialisation, e.g. boys associated with pirates
- Higher sex drive explains sexual assault
- Peer pressure, e.g. Anti school culture (Paul Willis)
- Traditionally breadwinners
- Status frustration, i.e. boys underachieving at school find other ways to feel included (gang culture)
Why are less women convicted?
- Chivalry Factor (legal system should protect women)
- Women not seen as a threat to the public
- State do not want to break up families
Are women committing more violent offences?
Yes, the number of women guilty of murder and vicious assault has risen by 81% since 1998.
Women and Crime - Ohio Mother
Ohio Mother (2015) was sentenced to live in prison after raping her twelve year old daughter with her boyfriend.
Women and Crime - Rosemary West
Rosemary West is a British serial killer who was convicted for 10 murders in 1995. She was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Why are Afro-Caribbean men most highly represented in prison?
- Highest lone parent families so are neglected and suffer material deprivation (gang culture develops)
- Three times more likely to be excluded from school than another other ethnic group
- Most likely to live in urban areas, where there are opportunities to commit crime (gang culture develops)
Why are Indians least likely to commit crime?
- Wealthy
- Extended families
- Strong sense of community
- Religious teachings
Institutional racism
When organisations find ways to discriminate against ethnic minorities, e.g. not promoting them.
Race Relations Act (1965)
Law designed to prevent racial discrimination in the workplace.
Why do people believe ethnic minorities are responsible for crime?
- Xenophobia/Ignorance
- Media creates moral panic