Crime and Punishment Unit Four Lesson Two Teacher’s Edition

What did I learn today? There are many different elements that affect the rate of crime in an area. Today students will examine what affects crime in an area and how crime is studied. Students will also examine how crime is prevented.

What is crime? Crime does not always have to be violent. Crime does not always have to be violent. Crime – acts committed in violation of the law Crime – acts committed in violation of the law This includes: murder, stealing, speeding, under age drinking, and many more! This includes: murder, stealing, speeding, under age drinking, and many more!

US Crime Rates: In % of all house holds dealt with some sort of crime In % of all house holds dealt with some sort of crime This is down, in % of all house holds dealt with some sort of crime This is down, in % of all house holds dealt with some sort of crime African American homes were more likely to deal with crimes at home African American homes were more likely to deal with crimes at home

How are crime statistics collected? The FBI collects data from law enforcement agencies around the country. The FBI collects data from law enforcement agencies around the country. They compile this data into one report, Uniform Crime Report They compile this data into one report, Uniform Crime Report This covers the frequency of nine categories of crime. This covers the frequency of nine categories of crime. 1- Murder 2- Forcible Rape3- Robbery 4- Aggravated Assault5- Burglary 6- Arson 7- Theft8- Grand Theft Auto9- Hate Crimes

This report is viewed as highly reliable. The data is collected by professionally trained and experienced police officers. This report is viewed as highly reliable. The data is collected by professionally trained and experienced police officers. This report does have limitations, if people do not report crimes they cannot be covered. This report does have limitations, if people do not report crimes they cannot be covered. 2/3 of all US crimes go unreported 2/3 of all US crimes go unreported

Juvenile Crime: Juvenile Crime – crimes committed by those under the age of 18 Juvenile Crime – crimes committed by those under the age of 18 In 2003 juvenile crime hit its lowest rate since the 1980s In 2003 juvenile crime hit its lowest rate since the 1980s In the last ten years juvenile murders are down from to 3000 In the last ten years juvenile murders are down from to 3000 In the 80’s juvenile crime jumped because of drug use In the 80’s juvenile crime jumped because of drug use

Approaches to Crime Control: Criminal Justice System – system composed of institutions and processes responsible for enforcing criminal statutes Criminal Justice System – system composed of institutions and processes responsible for enforcing criminal statutes The Criminal Justice System uses a four step approach The Criminal Justice System uses a four step approach 1- Deterrence 2- Retribution 3- Incarceration 4- Rehabilitation

Does punishment deter crime? Deterrence – discouraging criminal acts by threatening punishment Deterrence – discouraging criminal acts by threatening punishment Does the risk of detention keep you from talking during study hall? Does the risk of detention keep you from talking during study hall? Does punishing criminals stop them from making crimes? Does punishing criminals stop them from making crimes? Research says this works if criminals know they will get caught and they are aware of how severe their punishment will be. Research says this works if criminals know they will get caught and they are aware of how severe their punishment will be.

Punishment is inconsistent in the United States, the judicial system is slow and normally punishments are not severe… so do you think that deterrence works in the US? Punishment is inconsistent in the United States, the judicial system is slow and normally punishments are not severe… so do you think that deterrence works in the US?

Deterrence and the Death Penalty: Since the 1930’s 5000 people have been executed in the United States Since the 1930’s 5000 people have been executed in the United States This punishment is normally distributed with murder, but murder is normally an irrational act. This punishment is normally distributed with murder, but murder is normally an irrational act. Do you think that the death penalty is a crime deterrent? Do you think that the death penalty is a crime deterrent?

When the death penalty is reduced the murder rate stays the same or in some cases has even gone down. When the death penalty is reduced the murder rate stays the same or in some cases has even gone down. 35% of Americans believe that the death penalty deters crime 35% of Americans believe that the death penalty deters crime 69% of Americans support the death penalty 69% of Americans support the death penalty 74% of Americans support the death penalty as a punishment for murder 74% of Americans support the death penalty as a punishment for murder

Attitudes differ amongst people because of: Attitudes differ amongst people because of: Race (54% of those on death row are African American) Race (54% of those on death row are African American) Political beliefs Political beliefs Religious beliefs Religious beliefs Moral beliefs Moral beliefs

Retribution: Retribution – punishment intended to make criminals pay compensation for their acts Retribution – punishment intended to make criminals pay compensation for their acts Ex: Lawsuits Ex: Lawsuits Only designated officials can do this Only designated officials can do this You cannot avenge someone's death You cannot avenge someone's death

Incarceration: Incarceration – a method of protecting society from criminals by keeping them in prison Incarceration – a method of protecting society from criminals by keeping them in prison The belief is that if you keep them in jail you keep them off the streets, which prevents them from committing crimes The belief is that if you keep them in jail you keep them off the streets, which prevents them from committing crimes Three Strikes Law – Three strikes your out! Three Strikes Law – Three strikes your out!

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation – process of changing or reforming a criminal through socialization Rehabilitation – process of changing or reforming a criminal through socialization Often inmates receive counseling and job training Often inmates receive counseling and job training More then half of US prisons focus on this More then half of US prisons focus on this More then half of released prisoners are back behind bars in five years More then half of released prisoners are back behind bars in five years Recidivism – a return of criminal behavior Recidivism – a return of criminal behavior

The basic nature of offender is why they return. The basic nature of offender is why they return. Criminals often return because they cannot adapt to normal life. Prison life requires one to be tough and this tough mentality often causes released prisoners to have problems at work. Criminals often return because they cannot adapt to normal life. Prison life requires one to be tough and this tough mentality often causes released prisoners to have problems at work. There is a stigma that goes along with being an ex-convict. There is a stigma that goes along with being an ex-convict.

Alternatives to Prisons: #1 – Shock Probation – Combination of probation with a short prison stay, this is supposed to shock the accused about the hard reality of prison life #2 – Community Based Programs – Convicted belong to a program and become part of the community. Here they learn positive ways to interact with the community. #3 – Diversion Strategies – Community based rehabilitation (this is very similar to drug rehab)