Topics in Criminology

Term Paper # 101056

This paper discuses four topics in criminology: minimum mandatory sentencing (MMS), a security-minded culture, conditional sentencing and the rational choice theory.

3,585 words () | 4 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that minimum mandatory sentencing (MMS) does not effectively induce incapacitation nor does it really deter perpetrators. The author points out that routine precautions against crime create a security-minded culture of distance meaning that the criminal as a person is demonized and seen as belonging to a very different human category. The paper suggests that the unknowing public of Canada may strongly support the federal government's decision to eliminate conditional sentencing and expand the range of serious crimes to which MMS minimum mandatory sentencing apply; however, they do not understand that comparable adjustments in the United States have not reduced crime rates. The author stresses that rational choice theory does not address individuals who are not truly capable of rationality and thus can not make choices based on sound, rational decision.

Table of Contents
Minimum Mandatory Sentencing (MMS)
A Security-Minded Culture
Conditional Sentence
The Rational Choice Theory

From the Paper:

"The St. Lawrence Mental Health facility in Ontario is typical of a number of institutions now serving mentally ill medium and maximum security offenders. There are not enough facilities of the kind to serve the mainly federal offenders who would benefit from transfers allowing them to have comprehensive psychiatric care, towards partial or full recovery, as part of their federal sentences. It is plain that many Western countries are seeing persons who are mentally ill rather lost in the criminal justice system as opposed to hospital or other remedial systems."

Sample of Sources Used:

Citizens for Mental Health. (2004). Backgrounder - Justice and Mental Health. Toronto: CAMH. January.
Felson, M. and R. V. Clarke. "Routine Precautions, Criminology and Crime Prevention." (course materials).
Hagan, J. (1994). Paper: Rethinking Crime Theory and Policy - the New Sociology of Crime and Disrepute. Alan Fortunoff Criminal Justice Colloquium, Center in Crime and Justice, New York University School of Law. February 2.
Vogel, M. Et Al. (2004) Decreased Levels of Dopamine D3 receptor mRNA in Schizophrenic and Bipolar Patients. Neuropsychobiology. 50: 305-310.