Topic 8 - public policy and crime

Question 1

Introduction?

Answer 1

A key measure of government effectiveness is how it addresses crime and social control. Criminality costs the country significantly; for example, it costs £100,000 to house a young offender, compared to £35,000 for a public school like Eton. The long-term costs are even higher due to benefit dependency, children in care, and reoffending. The public pays for courts, police, probation, social services, and education, so the government must control costs and develop effective strategies for managing criminal behavior.

Question 2

Key issues for the control of crime?
the role of government

Answer 2

Governments create laws to prevent and control crime, advise on policies, and manage crime at community levels through policing, education, courts, prisons, and probation services. They also support victims through social services. The approach depends on the government’s views on crime and criminals, while managing strict budgets due to the high cost of crime. In 2013, violent crime alone cost the UK £124 billion annually, about 7.7% of the national budget, or £4,700 per household. This is more than eight times the £15.8 billion cost of cancer to the UK economy.

Question 3

social and political philosophies on crime

Answer 3

The “tough on crime” approach is popular with voters, and all political parties claim to control crime. Conservative theories suggest a past “golden age” of respect for authority, favoring limited state control and a focus on punishment and deterrence. In contrast, Labour party policies emphasize community solutions, increased police presence, and preventive measures like behavior contracts and parenting plans, aiming to prevent crime rather than just punish it.

Question 4

Policy interventions?

Answer 4

Policy interventions in crime focus on prevention and treatment. Key examples include:

Ending youth crime programs: Targeting young offenders, often linked to gang activity, especially following the 2011 London riots. The government adopted two approaches: stricter knife crime laws and early intervention programs like ex-prisoners counseling youth.

Restorative justice: Aimed at reducing reoffending by involving both victims and offenders. Victims explain the crime’s impact, and offenders explain their actions, mediated by a professional, to promote understanding and reduce repeat offenses. Studies suggest this approach can be effective.

Question 5

Treatment of substance abuse policies?

Answer 5

Substance abuse policies focus on addressing drug addiction, particularly opiates like heroin. Key points include:

Declining drug use: According to NHS data (2012), while over 300,000 people are known to have drug problems, many more use drugs occasionally.
Addiction and crime: Addicts often commit crimes to fund their habits, leading experts to advocate for more liberal laws around drug use to reduce crime.
Recovery programs: There is pressure on the government to invest in drug recovery programs, as drug-related crime costs society £13.9 billion annually. The lifetime cost for each injecting drug user is £480,000, including healthcare and crime-related expenses.

Question 6

Privatisation of the criminal justice system?

Answer 6

The privatization of the criminal justice system aims to reduce costs, with private companies running about 1 in 6 prisons and overseeing probation services. However, this has been controversial due to concerns over accountability, underqualified staff, and allegations of overcharging the government. The privatization has also led to fewer staff and lower wages in the system.