left wing

• Crime prevention - Intervention/community programmes - Perry

  Preschool project for disadvantaged black children.

  A group of 3-4 year olds were offered a 2 year intellectual enrichment programme, during which children received weekly home visits.

  By age 40, they had significantly fewer arrests for various types of crime & a higher percentage had graduated high school & made it into full-time employment.

  Conclusion - cost effective $13 return on each $1.
• Strengths of Crime prevention - Intervention/community programmes

  Young and Matthews - Argue that improving leisure facilities for the young, reducing income inequalities, improving housing estates, raising the living standards of poorer families, reducing unemployment & creating jobs with prospects, has helped to cut crime

  Pregnant mothers who were seen in their homes by health visitors during their pregnancy and for 2 years after birth had children with arrest rates almost 50% lower 15yrs later.
• Weaknesses of Crime prevention - Intervention/community programmes

  Functionalists argue that the nature of capitalism prevented equal opportunity in society and therefore those at the bottom of the class system were more likely to experience strain and turn to crime to gain material rewards.

  The solution here would be to remove the barriers that prevent equal opportunity.
• Improving policing


  Over 90% of crimes are cleared up by the police as a result of information from the public, however research suggests that public confidence in the police has declined.

  If this relationship breaks down, the flow of information from the victims of crime will dry up - If police don't have the information they need from the public, they have to find new ways of solving crime and there is a drift towards militarised.

  Alienates people in the community and make everyone feel like criminals.

  Police must concentrate on improving relationships with the community and public should have more say in shaping police policy.
• Strengths of Improving policing

  Evidence is provided by the UK's approach to community policing and involving the public. Local police forces have designated officers for their areas and consult with communities on how to tackle local issues that residents are experiencing.
• Weaknesses of Improving policing

  Left realism ignores white collar and corporate crime which can have serious consequences for victims.

  They refer to focus on victims of personal crimes, eg. physical assault.

  Some see this as a soft approach to the crime problem, focusing on the victim and solution rather than the offence.

  Marxists would argue for a revolution, where capitalism is removed and that eventually, a true communist state would prevail - this would eliminate the need to commit any crimes that result in financial gain.
• Crime prevention - Restorative justice

  When a victim and offender meet - a process used to help a victim recover and make an offender understand the impact of their crime.

  Braithwaite - Called another aspect of restorative justice - reintegrative shaming - this reduces the chance of labelling & master status - 'evil' - by highlighting the act & offering the chance for empathy & remorse. This allows the victim to distinguish the act from the person & allow the terms for rehabilitation & reintegration into society.
• Strengths of Crime prevention - Restorative justice

  Has an 85% satisfaction rate - makes victims feel more empowered and allowed to move on with their lives.

  Whilst it is not actually a punishment, there is a 14% reduction in recidivism.
• Weaknesses of Crime prevention - Restorative justice


  Can distress both the offender and victim.

  Clearly not suitable for all crimes, eg. sexual assaults.

  Can be time consuming and costly.