Right Realism

• Right Realism

  Criminals are seen as making a rational choice to commit crime
• This view has led to crime control/punishment policies
• Main ways to control crime in society

  • Custodial sentences (prison sentences)
  • Other ways
• Prison aims to


  1. Incapacitate - take the criminal out of circulation so they cannot harm anyone else

  2. Deterrent - make criminals think twice before offending when they see the tough punishments being handed out
• Prison sentences are one of the main ways we try to control crime in society
• Rehabilitation: Overcrowding and budget cuts mean many prisoners lack access to education, skills training or treatment programmes that would help them to become law abiding citizens
• 46% of adults are reconvicted within one year of release
• Reoffending by recent ex-prisoners costs the economy between £9.5-£13 billion a year
• Deterrence: Studies show the risk of prison doesn't deter offenders enough to reduce crime rates
• Prison is ineffective for preventing repeat offending