Crime - Introduction to Sociology - Lecture Notes, Study notes of Introduction to Sociology

Download Crime - Introduction to Sociology - Lecture Notes and more Study notes Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Serious, violent crime is a much greater problem in the U.S. than in other industrial societies. • characteristics of victims of serious crime: poor, minorities, young, urban, male The majority of the American public believes criminals are treated too leniently. • most common response to violent crime is to "get tough on criminals" The U.S. has a much higher incarceration rate than any other western industrial society. • lock up more people, and for longer periods of time However, the severity of punishment is not correlated with deterrence. • has not resulted in a reduction of violent crimes, especially among young people Why don't longer, mandatory sentences deter violent crime? • most violent crimes are spontaneous, some committed under influence of alcohol or other drugs  principle of rationally chosen behavior and consideration of consequences does not apply • deterrent effect of punishment depends on certainty not severity of punishment  certainty of being caught and punished even "mildly" more likely to deter than severe punishment for a few who are caught and convicted • going to prison not always perceived as negative  increasing % of population who feel they have nothing to lose (undesirable living conditions on the street)  status among peers • informal sanctions more effective in deterrence than formal sanctions  informal: disapproval of family, friends, and community through community based corrections  formal: prisons increase alienation and exposure to criminal norms (rehabilitation is unlikely) Docsity.com