6.3: How is Crime Dealt With in Different Societies Notes:

Aims of Punishment

• Protection of citizens: keep society safe by removing dangerous individuals.

• Deterrence: discourage people from committing crime (fear of punishment).

• Retribution: “payback” — offenders punished because they deserve it.

• Incapacitation: prevent offenders from re‑offending (e.g. prison, execution).

• Rehabilitation: reform offenders so they can re‑enter society positively.

Effectiveness of Different Types of Punishment

Community Sentencing

• Offenders complete unpaid work or community service.

• Strengths: rehabilitative, avoids prison overcrowding.

• Limitations: seen as “soft,” limited deterrence.

Financial Penalties

• Fines for minor offences.

• Strengths: quick, cost‑effective.

• Limitations: harsher impact on poor than rich.

Prison

• Removes offenders from society.

• Strengths: protects citizens, deterrence.

• Limitations: expensive, overcrowded, may increase re‑offending.

Rehabilitation Programs

• Education, therapy, training.

• Strengths: reformative, reduces re‑offending.

• Limitations: costly, success varies.

Capital Punishment

• Death penalty.

• Strengths: ultimate incapacitation, deterrence (argued).

• Limitations: ethical concerns, wrongful convictions.

Corporal Punishment

• Physical punishment (banned in many countries).

• Strengths: immediate deterrence.

• Limitations: human rights concerns, ineffective long‑term.

Exile

• Removing offenders from community/country.

• Strengths: protects society.

• Limitations: rare today, impractical.

Ostracism

• Social exclusion.

• Strengths: informal deterrence.

• Limitations: psychological harm, not formal justice.

Non‑Custodial Sentencing

• Electronic tagging, curfews, restraining orders.

• Strengths: cheaper than prison, allows monitoring.

• Limitations: limited deterrence, offenders may breach conditions.

Probation

• Offenders supervised in community.

• Strengths: rehabilitative, avoids prison.

• Limitations: depends on compliance, resources.

Police Cautions

• Formal warning for minor offences.

• Strengths: quick, avoids court.

• Limitations: may not deter repeat offending.

Social Media & Vigilante Groups

• Public shaming, online exposure.

• Strengths: raises awareness, informal deterrence.

• Limitations: can be unfair, mob justice, no due process.

Effectiveness of Policing & Law Enforcement

Policing Strategies

• Targeting: focus on high‑crime areas or groups.

• Stop & search: prevent crime but criticised for discrimination.

• Strengths: proactive prevention.

• Limitations: may damage trust with communities.

Surveillance

• CCTV, digital monitoring, online tracking.

• Strengths: deters crime, provides evidence.

• Limitations: privacy concerns, may displace crime elsewhere.

Crime Prevention

• Situational measures (locks, lighting, neighborhood watch).

• Strengths: reduces opportunities for crime.

• Limitations: doesn’t address root causes.

Community Policing

• Police work closely with communities, build trust.

• Strengths: improves cooperation, crime reporting.

• Limitations: resource‑intensive, slower impact.

Military‑Style Policing

• Heavy enforcement, armed patrols.

• Strengths: strong deterrence, control in crises.

• Limitations: may cause fear, reduce trust, escalate conflict.

NOTES DONE BY FARIDA SABET

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