Crime & Punishment

• Causes of Crime

  • Poverty- poor people may break the law trying to steal things they can’t afford.
  • Upbringing- brought up to not respect the law, in a certain environment
• Causes of Crime

  • Greed- people may steal or exploit people to make a profit if greedy.
  • Hate- commit crimes against people they hate eg, attack them or steal from them.
• Causes of Crime

  • Opposition to an unjust law- some people protest against unjust laws eg, terrorism against a racist law. OR. people living normal lives, e.g. homosexuals living in a country where it’s illegal.
• Causes of crime

  • mental illness- people may not be able to get a job or feel like outcasts which can contribute to crime.
  • Addiction- some drugs are illegal in itself, some people may steal to pay for drug addictions.
• What is conscience?

  This is an inner feeling of rightness or wrongness associated with an act.
• Nature in Conscience

  • Individual trait- number of biological and psychological traits, e.g. lack of empathy, causes crime in interaction with social environment.
  • Positivism- crime is caused by psychological and sociological factors.
• Nurture in conscience

  • Factors in society and the environment people grow up in, such as family or poverty.
• Type of Punishment

  • Corporal punishment
  • Prison
  • Community Service
• What is corporal punishment?

  Physical punishment inflicted on a person as a form of discipline or punishment. Focusing on retribution and deterrence.
• What is community service?

  criminals make reparation by helping the community. Given when it is thought the offenders can reform.
• What is prison?

  Acts as a punishment to deter others and can help criminals to reform. However, it’s expensive.
• Aims of Punishment

  • Retribution
  • Deterrence
  • Reformation
  • Protection
  • Reparation
  • Upholding the law
• What is retribution?

  Taking revenge on a criminal to punish them for what they’ve done. Being punished for doing wrong is justice.
• What is deterrence?

  Used to persuade others not to commit crime. People want to live in a safe society.
• What is reformation?

  Trying to change criminals so they do not commit crimes in the future. People deserve a second chance.
• What is protection?

  Keeping the public safe from criminals and vis versa. Both deserve to be protected.
• What is reparation?

  Making up for the wrong which has been done. Victims of crime can benefit from the punishment.
• What is upholding the law?

  Showing that there is a consequence from breaking the law. Reinforcing the law.
• Types of Crime

  • Hate crime
  • Crimes against property
  • Crimes against humanity
  • Crimes against the state
  • Petty crime
  • White collar crime
  • Victimless crime
• What is hate crime?

  A crime committed against a person e.g assault or even murder.
• Examples of Religious sins

  • Adultery
  • Lying
  • Blasphemy
  • Greed
• What is the worst religious sin?

  Blasphemy is considered the worst religious sin.
• Christian views on punishment

  Punishment is a way to bring justice. The old testament allows corporal punishment.

  However, punishment isn't loving and does not focusing on reforming.
• Islamic views on punishment

  Muslims favour severe punishments like corporal punishments as criminals breach against god.

  However they also believe every human should be treated with respect regardless what they’ve done (reformation).
• Why is suffering important?

  Can make people more caring to close relatives such as family and friends. Except the reality and develop a relationship with God.
• What can be done to stop suffering?

  Gods plan to have evil and suffering so cannot be stopped. Not all suffering can be stopped around the world.
• What is capital punishment?

  Capital punishment , the death penalty, means that a criminal is killed as a punishment for their crimes.
• Arguments for capital punishment

  • Protection for society
  • Justice
  • Kinder than life imprisonment
  • Cheaper than life imprisonment.
• Arguments against capital punishment

  • against human rights
  • Promotes and encourages violence in society.
  • Two wrongs don’t make a right.
• Christian views on capital punishment

  • Some believe justice overrides sanctity of life.
  • “Eye for an eye”
  • However, sanctity of life suggests the death penalty is wrong.
  • Reformation is the best form of punishment and a dead criminal can’t do that.
• Islamic Views on capital punishment

  • Shari’ah law supports death penalty as a form of retribution.
  • However, some muslims don’t agree as some see it as misinterpreting the Qur’an.
• What is forgiveness?

  Involves a person letting go of bad feelings towards someone who has caused them harm or pain.
• Christian views on forgiveness

  • Jesus died for the forgiveness of human sins, so Christian’s should forgive people. ‘Golden rule’
  • However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin.
• Islamic views on forgiveness

  • Allah will reward those who forgive.
  • Some crimes against Allah may be seen as undeserving of forgiveness.