Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment

1. key words

   • crime -.
     • an action braking the law of a country or institution
   • Law -
     • the rules of conduct for behaviour for a country or institute
   • punishment -
     • the consequences suffered by a person because they have broken law
   • order -
     • a calm state of affairs to avoid chaos
   • conscience -
     • a persons sense of right and wrong
   • Duty -
     • an action we are obliged to do.
   • sin -
     • the breaking of a religious, spiritual or moral law
   • responsibility
     • an action we are obliged to carry out to protect ourselves and others
   • forgiveness
     • to stop feeling anger towards someone for what they have done wrong towards you
   • repentance
     • someone being truly sorry for what they have done wrong and trying to change.
   • young offender
     • a person under the age of 18 who as broken the law

2. religious attitudes to crime and punishment

   • Christians
     • 'a man reps what he sows'
       • thus is a person does wrong he/she should have to bear the consequences of their behaviour and have wrong done to him/her as punishment
     • many Christians believe in the old testament
       • an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth
     • Jesus taught forgiveness of all people for the wrongs they committed against others
       • hey showed this when he dealt with a woman guilty of adultery.
         • go away and sin no more
     • Jesus told a parable
       • the lost son
         • he said we should forgive all sins because we are all sinners
   • Islam
     • it is Allah's wish that justice is done
       • thus you have a duty to ensure that criminals are punished for their wrongs
         • judge with justice
     • whatever a criminal has done should be back to him/her as their punishment
       • a life for a life
     • the Qur'an teaches that criminals should be treated harshly to deter and prevent them committing the same crime again
       • a thief should have his hands cut off as punishment
     • violence
       • can be used on criminals as punishments to teach them a lesson
   • Judaism
     • a Jew must insure that justice is achieved in the world
       • criminals should be punished and the good protected as this is what got wants
         • let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever flowing stream

3. The Causes of crime

   • Parents
     • their examples
   • school
     • that we are taught
   • religion
     • from its rules
   • the law
     • the consequences of not following it
   • society
     • what we see others doing
   • social reasons
     • many young people who commit crimes have been kicked out of school. without any qualifications or employment they are left without anything constructive to do and are bored.
       • crime provides excitement and possibility of gaining some wealth
   • environmental reasons
     • unemployment
       • leaves people taken out of work with financial difficulties thus they turn t crime to gain wealth
     • gangs
       • young people join gangs to feel part of the community and feel secure
       • guns and knifes are carried around
     • deprived areas
       • crime rates amongst those who suffer from inadequate housing, overcrowding and a deprived background are high
         • an uncared for environment does not encourage responsible behaviour
   • psychological reasons
     • the majority of people in prison suffer from mental illness or psychological problems.
     • people say that human nature is selfish and greedy and some will use any method to obtain wealth and power
     • criminologists believe that violence on tv can influence people to try and copy it

4. two types of offences

   • non-indictable
     • e.g. cycling with out lights, driving 36mph in a 30mph zone.
     • offenders are not sent to prison for these offences
   • indictable
     • e.g. murder, rape and more serious
     • a person may face prison if found guilty

5. aims of punishment

   • protection
     • protect potential victims from criminal activity
   • retribution
     • getting even
       • seen as getting even with the person who has committed the crime
   • deterrence
     • may be put off crime if the believe they will be caught and dealt with seriously
   • reformation
     • people who have committed crimes may need help to understand that their behaviour is unacceptable and they need to change