The effective control of crime is one of the crucial elements in ensuring society’s safety and stability. The crime control perspectives not only guide policy-making, policing methods, and community involvement but also contribute to the complexities of criminology. This essay explores the many different points of view on crime control by placing the idea in the framework of John L. Worrall’s book, ” Crime Control in America: What Works?” To do so, it looks at Worrall’s different perspectives on crime control by comparing and contrasting the way Americans think about it by using Worrall’s ideas. The paper will evaluate the crime control methods from different points of view to identify the complex parts of crime control in the U.S. This will include how they work and what they mean for society.
Definition of Crime Control Perspective
The term “crime control perspective” is a collection of concepts, attitudes, and activities used to deal with and diminish crime in a society. It not only contains reactive and proactive measures but also includes the prevention of crime, making the people feel secure, and managing the society peacefully. The various ways in which the school of thought of crime control is manifested include laws, anti-crime police strategies, community projects, individual actions, and their interactions towards combating crime, as Worrall (2019) puts it.
Comparison of Different Views on Crime Control
Deterrence Theory
Deterrence theory holds the viewpoint that severe sentences can work as a cure to stop people from committing a crime; however, this theory has also been criticized for not being effective in deterring crimes. According to deterrence theory, a sure and severe punishment should make people less prone to commit illegal acts. On the other hand, research indicates that this sometimes happens. In addition, the knowledge that harsher punishments are more likely to hit the poor class as compared to others raises suspicion of widely understood fairness and equality in the justice system. It is debated that practices that are solely aimed at deterring criminals by using sanctions, such as mandatory minimum jail terms, end up having a lot of individuals go to prison without solving the root social problems that make people commit crimes. As well as the deterrence theory is required to be based on the person’s unpredictability. It doesn’t concern themselves with mental health, socio-economic status, and systemic inequalities that influence criminal behavior. Hence, while punishing remains a significant tool in crime control, it is imperative to incorporate more evidence-based and comprehensive programs addressing the underlying causes of the crime.
Punitive approach
In contrast to the philosophy of rehabilitation, which concentrates more on the punishment side than on the rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, the punitive approach to crime control seems to be oriented more towards punishment than rehabilitation and reintegration. It is more harsh, which is unethical and makes people who commit crimes stay in prison and even increases their chances to commit crimes again. By viewing the real-life experience data, which proves that harsh punishments do not stop people from committing crimes nor keep them from doing it again, the powerful method is replaced by political goals and how people feel justice. Apart from that, a particular set of sentencing standards and “tough on crime” policies worsen the social differences present in the criminal justice system. As a result, marginalized groups are the ones who suffer more. Supporters argue that harsher punishments are more effective than finding the reasons for the person’s misdeeds, which only serve to sustain the system of injustices and make it more challenging to change things for the better, thus making it harder for the person to become a full-fledged member of society. This is why the retributive approach runs counter to correctness, equality, and effective crime control. Therefore, it needs to be reviewed and changed.
Community Policing
Whether it has good results or not, applying community policing is complex and only seldom effective. It focuses on cooperation and participation. Still, this is only sometimes achievable in the real world due to the lack of resources, lack of trust, and institutional resistance among law-enforcement agencies. Along these lines, the dynamics of community policing practices differ from one place to another. Social and economic issues are often concentrated in areas where people are poorer or less privileged. Those who are against community policing say that the disadvantaged might be more by helping affluent areas rather than poor ones, which are full of crime. Moreover, the fact that community-based policing is done by people who contribute voluntarily begs the question of how long-lasting it will be and whether everyone will be involved. Therefore, the supporters of the community police came to the conclusion that it could be changed, while the non-supporters emphasized things like the lack of fairness and inclusiveness and how there is a need for another way to fight crime.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration
The emphasis is on punishing criminals and isolating them from society under the punitive approach. In contrast, the rehabilitation and reintegration approach examines why people do bad things. Stating that the reasons for the crime are not only at the individual level but also at the social and economic level calls for narrowed interventions and broad ones to identify and solve all problems. Unlike punishment, which is based solely on education therapy and support networks, rehabilitation focuses on contributing to offenders changing for the better. The rehabilitation methods aim at the public by seeking ways of reintegrating them into society and reducing the recidivism rate.
On the other hand, it is contended that most recovery programs don’t work, and there are no accurate results on which ones are successful. In these programs, too, the provision of adequate resources and the issue of social shame are challenges. Despite an apparent noble goal, the rehabilitation approach is still debatable, and conversations about its effectiveness and suitability for the criminal justice system are still in progress.
Different Views on Crime Control
Punitive measures and immobilization are two primary components of the deterrent and disciplinary approach. Nevertheless, they do not always have a view of the social factors that spark crime. These perspectives maintain the vicious circle of the incarceration system where the real reasons for committing crimes are not dealt with, which results in high retraining rates and deterioration of societal problems. Community policing and rehabilitation, on the other hand, are more multifaceted. They know that community involvement, social support, and rehabilitation of offenders are vital for a society to prevent crime and maintain a healthy and prosperous community. The points of view in this area aim to tackle the core issues, unite people, and equip people with the instruments they need to live a crime-free existence by concentrating on relationships and comprehensive proposals. Community policing and rehabilitation entail proactive problem-solving and reintegration of the offenders with the societal process while building community resilience. They help to solve the problem effectively and in the long term, putting people’s dignity and social justice to the fore.
In conclusion, many different crime control views include various ideas, actions, and methods to help with the world’s crime rate. American criminal justice system resorts to other modes of action in the fight against crime, including neighborhood policing, rehabilitation, and deterrence. Such options manifest a diversity of values, objectives, and orientations. This essay looks at these different perspectives in line with Worrall’s thoughts and highlights the problems, the trade-offs, and the consequences of pursuing differing crime control strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of a balanced, multilateral approach to crime in the United States to have a successful approach.
References
Kappeler, V. E., Gaines, L. K., & Schaefer, B. P. (2020). Community Policing. (8th ed) Routledge.
Worrall, J. L. (2019). Crime control in America: what works? (4th ed) Pearson.
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