Labelling theory

• The labelling theory has influenced diversion policies. These aim to keep an offender out of the justice system so that they are avoiding being labelled as a criminal. Diversion policies can be both formal and informal. For instance, a police officer could use their judgement on whether to charge someone if it is informal.
• The labelling theory has also introduced reintegrative shaming. Reintegrative shaming labels the act but not the actor. It avoids stigmatising the offender as deviant whilst still encouraging remorse and encouraging others to allow the offender back into society.

  Disintegrative shaming is when both the crime and the criminal are labelled as bad, causing the offender to become excluded from society. This generates potential for secondary deviance.
• The labelling theory has encouraged decriminalisation of many previously illegal acts. Decriminalising minor offences such as the possession of cannabis means that many young people were no longer labelled as criminals. This reduces the risk of secondary deviance.
• Labelling theory policies - are they effective?

  1. evidence shows crime control policies based on the labelling theory can successfully deal with minor offences and young offenders. By avoiding labelling people as criminals and keeping them out of the justice system, they avoid pushing individuals into a deviant career.