4.1 Penal Populism

• Penal Populism


  1. Major political parties compete with each other to be 'tough on crime'

  2. Associated with the idea that crime is out of control

  3. Manifests at general elections when politicians put forward policies which would impose longer sentences
• Penal Populism


  • Creating new laws
  • Increasing sentencing of existing laws
  • Greater use of prison which may be out of proportion to the offence
• Government proposes new laws


  To punish offenders and achieve popularity with the public who may be concerned about crime due to the media representation
• Both main political parties became joined in a contest to present themselves as on tougher on law and order


  Around 1993/94
• The consequence has been an increase in crime-oriented legislation and a rapid and sustained rise in the number of people incarcerated
• What does it link to?


  Links to right realism as it sees crime as a rational choice based on costs and benefits and functionalism through highlighting boundaries.
• Why is it effective?


  It strengthens support for political parties and appeases the public. It can act as a deterrent for serious crimes.
• Why is it ineffective?


  It increases an already overcrowded prison system. It does not deal with the causes of criminality.
• Other Evaluation?


  Target Hardening may work in some cases, but it is likely that it will not deter all criminals. When criminals face difficulties with executing their crimes or consider it too risky to perform, they may look elsewhere. This means that their crime has not bene prevented, but moved.

  Tougher imprisonment shows society that crime is taken seriously, and that criminals will face consequences for their actions. This helps to remind society that criminal behaviour is not tolerates and deters people from committing crime themselves.