Core Issues in Crime and Punishment - 3260 Words

Critically evlaute which criminologc Jimmy Boyles autobiography A Sense of Freedom (1977) gives a very interesting and honest insight into his life of crime and incarceration. The autobiography, written from inside prison, is according to Boyle an attempt to warn young people that there is not anything glamorous about crime and violence. It gives a full narration of his life from a very young age, with a detailed insight into his childhood, experiences of petty crime, approved schools and borstal, right through to his adult experiences of more serious crime, violence and adult prisons, including his interpretation of the Penal System. Reading this autobiography I aimed to remain detached from the author and seek to create an independent†¦show more content†¦In this sense for Boyle the benefit of committing crime outweighed the cost, which explains his ongoing criminal behaviour. However, these benefits received would be an after effect of committing these crimes. What the Rational Choice theory fails to explain is why the need for committing the crime in the first place. Although Rational Choice theory does mention the psychological and sociological aspects that the offender brings with them into certain situations, it bases these aspects on calculating whether to commit the crime or not, rather than what sociological or psychological effects would contribute towards committing the crime in the first place i.e. strain, inequality, poverty, learned behaviour etc. Therefore it still does not seek to explain the individuals social circumstances. In this sense according to Newburn (2007) it fails to take sufficient account of the structural conditions within which individual decision-making takes place (Newburn, 2007,296) Simply Rational Choice theory does not explain the reasons for committing crime in the first place. It explains the process that takes place when there is an opportunity for crime. According to Newburn (2007) it fails to explain or is unconcerned with the motivation of the o ffender. What it does seek to explain is the reasons why offenders such as BoyleShow MoreRelatedJustification Of Punishment Justified By Ted Honderinch s Punishment1038 Words   |  5 PagesWhy punish? Is the use of punishment Justified? Ted Honderinch’s Punishment: The supposed Justifications Revisited aim to answer these questions. Punishment is at the core of our punitive systems, therefore society needs to establish a well thought-out moral explanation as to why we punish and what we aim to achieve with the use of punishment. Honderinch set out to analyze the supposed moral claims that justify the practice of punishment and to determine if they are satisfactory enough for the intentionalRead MoreThe Theory Of The Criminal Justice System931 Words   |  4 Pages The notion that punishment should be equal to the crime is a major philosophy in the US criminal justice system. However, finding a great balance between justice and punishment is often a blurred line. Over the past 40 years, the population of state and federal prisons have risen drastically. Polices such as the war on drugs and get tough on crime have caused judges to give out more incarceration years than ever before. With such are large prison population, the resources needed to operate isRead MoreA Liberal Perspective On Capital Punishment1247 Words   |  5 PagesCapital Punishment The liberal ideology is based in the values of individualism, in that the individual themselves is important in their pursuit and struggle for freedom. There are some factors that are common in liberalism, some of which include: liberty, formation of equality and dominance of individuals in bearing within their society. This essay will discuss these ideas of liberalism in relation to how they support the controversial issue of capital punishment. 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Over time punishment theories have developed from retribution, detterence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and reform. Regardless of this development the death penalty has been in existence as far back as history can tell. The death penalty is a concept of retribution, its a simple and swift answer to physical or pyschological harmRead MoreDeterrence Theory And Its Effect On The Individual s Perception Of The Crime Essay1147 Words   |  5 Pagesperspective should be addressed to encompass the crime. Deterrence theory understands that when there is a low likelihood of getting caught or the punishment is minimal it will not deter the individual from the crime. This theory theorizes the individual as a rational actor who understand the penalties and can logically think and control their actions accordingly. Shoplifters may not be informed of the likelihood of detection, risks, or other punishments of the crime. In this theory: Perceptions of sanctionRead MoreThe Prison System Should Be Abolished1237 Words   |  5 Pagesprison system which is a significant part of punishment is incompetent and deeply flawed in the United States. Prison system reform needs immediate attention while abolition permanently will require time. Nietzsche’s theory of punishment explains how punishment come about in society and Davis’s critique of the prison system helps back my argument that the prison system needs to be abolished. Traditionally, there have been four justifications for punishment: deterrence, confinement, rehabilitation andRead MoreCapital Punishment Should Be Eliminated1679 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the history of humanity, punishments have been in place for the wrongful acts of citizens within governmental systems of all kinds. In America during the early days of the country, the death penalty was a more viable solution than it appears today due to the quality of the prisons, which couldn’t sustain prisoners long-term. (Von Drehle, 2015). Today, this is not an issue with prisons that are provided both by the state and federal governments and that are fully capable of holding offenders