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Causes of Crime
Causes of Crime
Environmental
ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) – Trauma early in life can lead to crime later.
Poverty – People may steal to survive.
Gang Culture – Offers belonging and purpose in deprived areas
Psychological
Mental Illness – Some may not understand their actions.
Addiction – Crime committed to fund drug/alcohol habits.
Traumatic Brain Injury- Head trauma can cause damage to the brain, leading to cognitive and behavioural problems. Such damage can affect the areas of the brain responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Purposes of Punishment
Purposes of Punishment
Retribution (Payback)
Retribution is the idea that criminals deserve to be punished because they have done wrong. Justice means that the punishment should fit the crime. This is based on the belief that it is morally right to hold people accountable for their actions. Retribution focuses on fairness and giving victims a sense that justice has been done.
Example: Imprisoning someone for assault to show that violence is unacceptable and deserves punishment.
Deterrence (Prevention)
Deterrence aims to discourage crime by making the consequences serious enough that people will think twice before offending. There are two types:
Individual deterrence – stopping the same person from reoffending.
General deterrence – discouraging others in society from committing similar crimes.
The idea is that fear of punishment will reduce crime rates.
Example: Heavy fines or penalty points for speeding to discourage dangerous driving.
Protection (Public Safety)
Protection (also called incapacitation) focuses on keeping society safe by removing dangerous offenders from the community. If someone cannot access potential victims, they cannot commit further harm. This approach prioritises the safety of the public over the needs of the offender.
Example: Sending violent criminals to prison so they cannot harm others.
Reformation (Change)
Reformation aims to change offenders so that they do not commit crimes again. It focuses on addressing the causes of crime, such as lack of education, addiction, or poor decision-making. The goal is rehabilitation and helping offenders return to society as responsible citizens.
Example: Providing education, vocational training, or addiction counselling in prison to reduce reoffending.
Responses to Crime
Responses to Crime
Custodial Sentences (Prison/Secure Units)
A custodial sentence is a type of punishment where someone is sent to prison for a certain period of time as a result of being found guilty of a crime. When a judge or jury determines that a person is guilty of a crime, they may impose a custodial sentence, which means the offender will be taken into custody and confined in a prison for a specific length of time.
Non-Custodial Sentences (Community Punishments)
A non-custodial sentence is a type of punishment where someone who has been found guilty of a crime is given a sentence that does not involve going to jail or prison. Instead, the offender may be required to pay a fine, wear an electronic tag, perform community service, attend counselling or therapy, or comply with other conditions set by the court.
Capital Punishment
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a legal punishment where a person is put to death by the government as a consequence for a serious crime they have committed. This form of punishment has been used throughout history in many countries around the world and is often a controversial topic because some people believe it is morally wrong, while others believe it is necessary to maintain social order and deter people from committing serious crimes.
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