Diverse viewpoints collide and merge in the complex field of criminology as they strive to solve the mystery of criminal conduct. Conservative criminological theory is one of these, fervently supporting strict regulations and prioritizing revenge and deterrence as the foundations of combating crime (Loader, 2020). The criminological environment has been profoundly impacted by the expressive articulation of the fundamental principles of this methodology by esteemed scholars Latzer and Wright.
Professors Latzer and Wright strongly defend the effectiveness of disincentives in their foundational writings, claiming that the possibility of retribution acts as a powerful deterrent for prospective perpetrators. They argue that people weigh the advantages and disadvantages of committing crimes logically, and the threat of immediate and harsh punishments serves as a powerful deterrent to people who would otherwise cross the line into anarchy. However, an oversimplified perspective on conduct misses the complexity that lies behind criminal choices. Although deterrence may have some influence over personal decisions, it is by no means a cure-all. The prospect of retribution cannot neatly confine the wide range of causes that lead to criminal conduct, from economic disadvantage to mental health difficulties. Furthermore, a system that particularly impacts disadvantaged individuals is created when deterrence is prioritized over other options and results in heavier consequences (Lilly et al., 209). In addition to failing to tackle the underlying causes of crime, this method keeps people in cycles of poverty and social marginalization.
Conservative criminological thought emphasizes retaliation alongside prevention, supporting discipline as a tool of ethical equity and social reproach. In this point of view, supporters contend that incarceration is an essential means of expressing societal disapproval and that criminals should feel the consequences of their crimes (Rothe & Kauzlarich, 2022). Although the idea of revenge appeals to a fundamental belief in equity, there are several difficulties in applying it within the criminal justice system. Retribution-based imprisonment frequently leads to disproportionate punishment, especially for innocent offenders, and it can worsen already-existing systemic disparities.
Moreover, the possibility of reconciliation and reintegration may be overshadowed by the emphasis on punishment. Conservative criminological theory runs the risk of not only promoting beneficial change but also extending the vicious cycle of violence and exclusion by placing more emphasis on consequence than salvation. It is critical to recognize the limits of conventional criminal justice theory when evaluating its efficacy. Retribution and deterrence may have a place in crime prevention tactics, but placing too much attention on them can result in harsh penalties that ignore the fundamental reasons for unlawful conduct and even make societal issues worse (Lilly et al., 209). A more comprehensive strategy for reducing crime necessitates giving reconciliation, recuperation, and deterrence equal weight. Communities can advance toward a more efficient and just strategy for reducing crime and treatment of offenders by resolving the fundamental causes of crime, funding social welfare initiatives, and encouraging alternative justice methods.
The focus of conventional criminological theory on punishment and deterrence makes it seem like an antiquated and oversimplified approach to crime prevention. These ideas could be useful in certain situations, but when applied excessively, they might worsen societal injustices, result in harsh punishment, and ignore the root causes of criminal activity. Deterrence, rehabilitation, and restorative justice are just a few of the tactics that must be carefully considered in order to successfully decrease crime and advance community well-being in an all-encompassing approach to combating crime.
References
Loader, I. (2020). Crime, order and the two faces of conservatism: An encounter with criminology’s other. The British Journal of Criminology, 60(5), 1181–1200.
Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T., & Ball, R. A. (2019). Criminological theory: Context and consequences (7th ed.).
Rothe, D., & Kauzlarich, D. (2022). Crimes of the Powerful: White-collar Crime and Beyond. Taylor & Francis.
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