Left Wing Social Policy And Crime Flashcards
Structural Changes In Society
Aims to reduce crime by addressing its root causes.
Focuses on improving social welfare, enhancing opportunities for disadvantaged groups etc, which prevents crime at its source
How structural changes work
Aims eliminate the social and economic conditions that contribute to crime. Include:
Reducing poverty: e.g. police’s increasing minimum wages, providing better welfare support, reducing financial strain.
Employment reforms: create stable jobs, offer fair wages etc reduced likelihood of individual turning to crime for survival
Structural changes links to left wing
Focus on role of social inequalities in driving criminal behaviour
Emphasise state responsibility in addressing systematic responsibility
Advocate preventative measures
Aim create fairer society which reduces need for criminal activity
Examples of structural changes
-Portugal’s Drug Policy Reform (2001): decriminalisation of drug use and focus on rehabilitation has significantly reduced drug-related crime
-Chicago’s Violence Reduction Program: investment in community initiatives, jobs creation and education led to reduced crime rates
SE Wilkinson and Pickett, structural changes
-The spirit level
-Societies with lower inequality have lower crime rates
-Supports idea structural economic polities reduce crime
SE. New Deal (UK 1998-2010), structural changes
Government program, reduced youth unemployment which simultaneously decrease crime rates
SE Junger-Tas, structural changes
Access to social services significantly decreases juvenile delinquency rates
Perspectives that support structural changes: Marxism
Crime is a consequence of capitalism. Supports structural reforms to address economic disparities
Perspectives that support structural changes: Left Realism
Argues relative deprivation is caused by inequalities in income and wealth. Emphasises taking crime through community based and structural interventions
Perspectives that support structural changes: Interactionism
Supports structural changes, reduces likelihood of negative labels being applied to disadvantaged individuals
Perspectives that criticise structural changes: Right Realism
Crime is due to individual choice. Structural reforms fail to address personal responsibility
Perspectives that criticise structural changes: Functionalism
Crime functionally necessary in society (Durkheim)
Social and Community Crime prevention (SCCP)
Addresses the root cause of crime and social inequalities (poverty, marginalisation, lack of education). Focus on preventing crime at its source by improving social conditions e.g. youth clubs.
SCCP Links to Left Wing
Crime a result of structural causes, than individuals
Socially constructed, rises from deprivation
CJS she rehabilitate than punish, prison is pointless
Lower crime rate bring sense of community
Community based solutions, e.g. community service, has more long-term benefits
SE, Perry Preschool Project, SCCP
Longitudinal, children with disadvantage backgrounds given high-quality preschool education. Found 67% less likely to engage in criminal activity.
SE, Cambridge Somerville study, SCCP
Found social intervention programs for at risk youths reduced reoffending rates
SE, Farmington and West (1990), SCCP
Poverty, poor housing, low parent supervision, our key risk factors for crime. Preventative social policies addressing this led to lower crime rates.
SE, Shapland et al, Restorative Justice research, SCCP
Found offenders participating in restorative justice programs had low reoffending rates
Real world examples: SCCP
Housing first (Finland): provide housing to homeless, reduce criminal, only one in five turned back to crime
** Employment and Skills programs (Norway):** rehab rehabilitation, and employment on ex-offenders. Have lowest reoffending rate in Europe.
Sure Start (UK): Provides early intervention for disadvantaged children e.g. food, milk
Perspectives that support SCCP: Marxism
Due to inequality and poverty, methods aligned with marks this view, tackles structural views
Perspectives that support SCCP:
Left Realism supports tackling crime relative deprivation
Perspectives that support SCCP: Interactionism
Supports rehabilitative measures and restorative justice, against harsh punishment
Perspectives that criticise SCCP: Right Realsim
Favourite zero tolerance, social prevention is ineffective
Perspectives that criticise SCCP: Functionalism
Support some, crime serves a purpose in society
