Mass Incarceration and the Criminal Justice System

These flashcards cover key concepts related to mass incarceration, the criminal justice system, and sociological theories discussed in the lecture.

War on Drugs

A campaign initiated in the 1980s aimed at reducing illegal drug use and trafficking, often associated with increased incarceration rates.

Recidivism

The tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to reoffend and return to prison.

Parole

The conditional release of a prisoner before they serve their full sentence, based on good behavior.

Probation

A judicial order that suspends the prison sentence of an offender and places them under supervision instead.

Three Strikes Law

A law that imposes severe penalties on repeat offenders, often leading to life sentences for individuals convicted of three felony offenses.

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing

Laws that set minimum sentences for specific crimes, removing discretion from judges during sentencing.

Mass Incarceration

The substantial increase in the number of imprisoned individuals, particularly in the United States, often associated with crime policy reform.

Prison Industrial Complex

The relationship between government and private industry that promotes increased incarceration for profit, often prioritizing profits over rehabilitation.

Racial Profiling

The discriminatory practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity.

Hegemony

The dominance of one group over others, which can be maintained through consensual means rather than coercive force.

Equality of Opportunity

The belief that everyone should have the same chances to achieve success, irrespective of their background.

Stratification

A hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on factors like wealth, power, and prestige.

Differential Policing

The varying enforcement of laws by police based on race, class, or neighborhood.

Deviance

Behavior that violates societal norms, which can lead to stigmatization and penalties.

Restorative Justice

An approach to justice that focuses on repairing harm caused by criminal behavior rather than solely punishing the offender.

Labeling Theory

A sociological perspective that suggests that labeling individuals as deviant can lead to further deviant behavior.

Life Sentences

Prison sentences that last for the lifetime of the convict, often for serious crimes.

Stigma

A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

Social Mobility

The ability of individuals or families to move up or down the social hierarchy.

Institutionalization

The process by which individuals become accustomed to living in a controlled environment like prison.

Criminal Justice System

The system of practices and institutions for enforcing criminal law.

Youth Control Complex

A concept describing how systems of authority label and control youth, often leading to criminalization.

Plea Bargaining

An agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial.