crime and punishment

Question 1

what is a crime?

Answer 1

an offence that is punishable by law, e.g. stealing

Question 2

what is punishment?

Answer 2

something done to a person because theyu have broken the law

Question 3

what are the causes of crime?

Answer 3

• social reasons e.g. lack of education
• environmental issues e.g. high unemployment, financial problems
• psychological reasons e.g. people suffering from mental problems

Question 4

what are the four different types of crime?

Answer 4

• crime against the person
• crime against property
• crime against the state
• religious offences

Question 5

what are examples of crime against the person?

Answer 5

murder, assault or rape

Question 6

what are examples of crime against property?

Answer 6

vandalism and arson

Question 7

what are examples of crime against the state?

Answer 7

terrorist activities, selling secrets to another nation and tax evasion

Question 8

what are the six aims of punishment?

Answer 8

• protection
• retribution
• deterrence
• reformation
• vindication
• reparation

Question 9

what is retribution?

Answer 9

ones due reward, almost a revenge or a way of making it equal

Question 10

what is deterrence?

Answer 10

a way of putting people off committing a crime

Question 11

what is reformation?

Answer 11

trying to change someones behaviour for the better

Question 12

what is vindication?

Answer 12

punishing someone to show the law must be respected

Question 13

what is reparation?

Answer 13

paying back society

Question 14

what are the christian teachings against crime and punishment?

Answer 14

‘an eye for an eye…a life for a life” (supports retribution)
jesus said to ‘love your neighbour’ (could support reparation/protection)

Question 15

what are the islam teachings against crime and punishment?

Answer 15

it says in the quram ‘if anyone is killed justly, we have granted the right of RETRIBUTION to his heir’
“as to the thief, male or female, cut off their hand” this supports retribution

Question 16

what is a young offender?

Answer 16

someone under the age of 18 who has committed a crime

Question 17

what are the punishments for young offenders?

Answer 17

• secure training centre
• secure children’s home
• young offenders institute

Question 18

what quote is there in christianity that does not support severe punishments for young offenders?

Answer 18

‘spare the rod, spoil the child’

Question 19

what are the advantages of prison?

Answer 19

• protects society
• isolates the prisoner who deserves that punishment
• stops people reoffending
• act as a deterrent to others
• gives offenders time to reflect on their actions

Question 20

what are the disadvantages of prison?

Answer 20

• can be ‘schools for crime’
• breeds resentment and bitterness
• most prisoners reoffend
• makes getting a job difficult, on release
• offenders families suffer
• relationships break down

Question 21

what are the reasons for capital punishment?

Answer 21

• meets many aims of punishment (retribution, deterrence and protection)
• cheaper way to deal with criminals
• a fitting punishment for severe crimes
• ‘an eye for an eye, a life for a life’
• ‘if anyone is killed justly, we have granted the right of RETRIBUTION to his heir’

Question 22

what are the reasons against capital punishment?

Answer 22

• innocent people may be executed
• prison may be a better alternative as this still protects society
• prisoners should be given the chance to reform
• only god/allah has the right to end lives
• all life is sacred
• jesus taught ‘love your neighbour’
• one of the ten commandments, is do not kill

Question 23

what are the four alternative forms of punishment to prison?

Answer 23

• community service
• electronic tagging
• fine
• probation

Question 24

what is life imprisonment?

Answer 24

a prison sentence that keeps people in prison until they die

Question 25

what is parole?

Answer 25

when a prisoner is released without having completed their full sentence, because they have behaved well and accepted their guilt. they are monitored to ensure they do not reoffend

Question 26

what is early release?

Answer 26

when a prisoner is allowed out of prison even though they have not completed their full sentence, or fulfilled the criteria for parole