Right Wing Social Policy And Crime Flashcards
Environmental Crime Prevention (ECP)
Focuses on maintaining order in public spaces to discourage criminal activity
Based on the Broken Window theory
Aims to create well maintained and controlled environments that deter criminal behaviour and promote social cohesion
Examples of ECP
-Gated communities and defensible space: controlled access and private security to maintain order e.g. gated lanes
-New York zero tolerance policing: led to reductions in serious offends like robbery and murder.
-ASBOs: introduced by Labour Government in 2010
ECP links to Right Wing
Right Wing
Strict law enforcement —> tough on crime
Individual responsibility—> crime is choice
How ECP works
Minor forms create environment for more serious crimes, tackle signs of neglect + enforce strict social control.
Key strategies:
Zero tolerance policing: immediate action against minor crime.
Neighbourhood policing: increase police officers
Community engagement
Maintenance of public spaces
SE Wilson and Kelling, ECP
Broken Windows
Maintain order prevents crime from escalating
SE London transport (2000), ECP
CCTV, strict policing, led to decline in anti-social behaviour
SE New York City (1990), ECP
Zero tolerance = reduced crime significantly through aggressive enforcement of minor crimes
Perspectives that support ECP: Right Realism
ECP essential, visible disorder breeds criminality
Mixed: Functionalism, ECP
ECP beneficial for order, but crime is a result of deeper social issues
Perspectives that criticise ECP: Marxism
Targets WC, minority communities and ignores white collar crime
Perspectives that criticise ECP: Interactionism
Zero tolerance leads to labelling and criminalisarion of certain social groups
Perspectives that criticise ECP: Left Realism
Combined with social policies addressing poverty, unemployed and inequality which contribute to crime
Retributive Justice
‘An eye for an eye’
Based on principle of punishment, proportionate to the crime committed
Aim to deter crime restrict and severe penalties
Examples of Retributive Justice
-Death penalty: Saudi Arabia, China, some USA states. Used for serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking.
-** USA three strikes law:** life sentences for repeat offenders. Deterrence.
-UK’s mandatory sentencing for knife crime: minimum prison sentences for possession of belated weapons to deter violent crimes
Retributive justice links to right wing beliefs
Strict punishment over rehab rehabilitation
Belief in personal responsibility. Crime = choice, except for consequences.
Deterrence through fear (of (re) (offending)
How does Retributive Justice work
-‘Just deserts’
-Deterrence: severe and consistent punishments, discouraged potential offenders from committing crime
-Moral order: reinforces societies moral boundaries by demonstrating that criminal behaviour has consequences
-Incapacitation: ensures dangerous individuals are removed from society through imprisonment or capital punishment
Key policies of Retributive Justice
Harsh sentencing policies
Capital punishment
Three strikes laws
Zero-tolerance policies
SE Wilson, Retributive Justice
‘Thinking about crime’
Claimed strict punishment and deterrence are necessary for crime reduction
SE Van Hirsch, Retributive Justice
Advocated for ‘just deserts’, arguing that punishment should match the severity of the crime to uphold justice
SE UK tough sentencing laws (2990s-2000s), Retributive Justice
Increase sentencing lengths, leading to a temporary decline in certain crime rates
Perspectives that support Retributive Justice: Right Realism
Argue harsh punishments deter crime and protects society. Offender must face consequences to reinforce social order
Mixed view: Functionalism, Retributive Justice
See punishment as necessary to maintain social cohesion (Durkheim, boundary maintenance), but argue RJ should be balanced with rehabilitation
Perspectives that criticise Retributive Justice: Left Realism
Accept need for punishment, argue for a combination of justice and rehabilitation. Focus on social causes of crime
Perspectives that criticise Retributive Justice: Marxism
Claim RJ disproportionately targets WC + EM, corporate crimes go unnoticed
