marxists theories of punishment

Question 1

why do marxists disagree with functionalists?

Answer 1

disagree that the law is product of shared values and claim instead that it reflects interests of the ruling class

Question 2

what did rusche and kirchnemer say

Answer 2

-claim punishments have envolved to meet the needs of the ruling class at different points in time
-e.g middle ages they needed workers so they would give fines rather than punish
-in 17th century there was shortage of labour and prisoners were used to produce goods cheaply
-the poor were seen as a threat to social order and stability so brutal and capital punishment become the norm

Question 3

what did marxist reiman say?

Answer 3

-punishment is a way of keeping w/c in line as they are much more likely to receive punishments even if their behaviour does less harm to society than that of wealthy corporations

Question 4

how can we evaluate marxists

Answer 4

-little simplistic and ignore infulence of gender and ethnicity
- increase in prosecutions for corporate crime e.g corporate manslaughter act
-some prisons teach useful skills and provide qualifications through this work which will help prisoners get a job on release e.g chain prison restaurants rehab not exploit