American Penology: Chapter 11

Conservatism and Law-andOrder Punishment (1980s-1990s)

What were some concerns of Americans during this time?

The economy, Vietnam War, Cold War, and Civil Rights

What was the liberal view of penal policy?

They accepted the death of rehabilitation on the condition that if punishment could not be effective, it could at lease be fair.

What was the conservative view of penal policy?

They worked to ensure tha criminals would not be coddled and that victims would be protected through long prison sentences.

What are the 1980s know for?

Supply-side and trickle-down economics and a “culture of greed”

What did Regan set out to do during his presidency?

• Reverse liberalist policies

• Reduce size of gov’t, taxes, business regulations, inflation problem

• Privatization of certain gov’t operations

• Elimination of welfare and job programs

• More warfare programs

What was the economy like?

• Rich got richer, poor got poorer, smaller middle class

• Lost of unemployed Americans

• Wage freeses, wage cuts, part-time work

• Quality jobs replaced with low-paying service sector jobs

• Increase national debt

What is deficit spending?

When a government spends more money on public services (like infrastructure, defense, or healthcare) than it collects in taxes and revenue during a specific year