Crime Control, Prevention, Punishment, Surveillance and Victims

Clarke

‘Rational Choice Theory’ - Situational crime prevention should increase the risks and reduce the rewards of committing crime during rational thinking

Felson

Prevention should focus on protecting suitable targets and increasing presence of capable guardians

Durkheim

Punishment reinforces social solidarity and collective conscience.

Rusche and Kirchheimer

Punishment reflects the economic interests of the ruling class, punishment systems reflect shifts in the mode of production.

Garland

Culture of control in modern societies with increased surveillance and harsher penalties in response to public fears of crime.

Braithwaite

Crime is best reduced through reintegrative shaming - condemning the act, not the person - allowing offenders to re-enter society.

Foucault

There’s a shift from sovereign to disciplinary power (panopticon), using surveillance to monitor and control behavior more subtly

Mathiesen

Surveillance is now two-way: the many also watch the few (e.g., public filming police with smartphones).

Feeley and Simon’s ‘New Penology’

Modern criminal justice focuses on control of groups, not rehabilitation — targeting 'dangerous populations' using actuarial methods.

Christie

The “ideal victim” is socially constructed and affects who is recognised as a “victim”.

Mawby and Walklate

Victimisation is shaped by social inequalities, marginalised groups are more likely to be repeat victims and receive less justice.

Bowling and Phillips

BaME groups are more likely to be victims of over-policing, stop and search, and less likely to get justice from the system.