SOCI 249 Deterrence

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Deterrence Theory
- what is theory based on?
- DT argues best way to control crime?

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Terms in this set (14)

Deterrence Theory
- what is theory based on?
- DT argues best way to control crime?

- classical theory; People rationally calculate the consequences of their behavior
- Thus, the best way to control crime is to set up a system of punishments to prevent crime

in class activity:
played a game + distributed prison time and % convicted
- what's the idea of deterrence?
- when is increasing sentences a bad idea?
- is deterrence different for corporations?

- idea of deterrence = don't want to give opp. to commit crimes
- increasing sentence won't help if person doesn't care about getting caught/very self-centered)
- corporate crimes are different = a rational actor (lawyers + executives) that make tradeoffs

If corporations have more to lose - why don't we see more of a deterrent effect?

- because will get better lawyers that will save you from the crime than compared to street level crimes (crimes that are more obvious)
- arrange better support

when does deterrence work best? (remember for prison inmates)

- research shows changing the certainty of punishment is more important than the severity of punishment

How to increase certainty of punishment?

- surveillance
- Increasing certainty of people getting caught involves surveillance

Do Mandatory Minimum Sentences Deter Crime?

- talk about California's three strikes legislation of 1994

[good example of moral entrepreneurship (making a big deal of what needs to be taken seriously = leading to moral panic)]

- 3 penalties go to jail for life + additional $20 B costs + prisons explode with people + doesn't show good results + see decriminalization
- research finding = it's a bad idea + doesn't show lots of deterrent effects

Biggest failure of mandatory sentencing and other deterrence policies:

- the war on drugs (war between trafficking) (deadly to join drug trade + in many places it's inevitable)
- Even high threat of death does not deter drug dealers. Drug prices and availability remain steady despite arrests. Always more individuals willing to join drug trade and meet demand with supply.

Does capital punishment deter crime?

- there is no evidence that capital punishment is a greater deterrent to crime than a lengthy term of imprisonment. In fact, one international study found that homicide rates actually went down after capital punishment was abolished

does increasing the certainty of punishment -- deter crime?
- give examples

- yes; Hot spots policing = Focusing police resources on high-crime areas (maps) can reduce crime by increasing certainty of arrest (more arrests)
- Individualized deterrence = Directly informing individuals about the consequences of future criminality and ensuring these promises are kept (educating + promising)

criticism of Hot Spots Policing?

This can result in people simply moving their criminal activity to a less-policed area (displacement)

they can move