Abstract
The paper discusses deviant behavior that violates a society's formal norms or laws, constituting criminal behavior. The paper examines the deterrent effect of capital punishment and maintains that it is at best debatable. The paper highlights how capital punishment and increased law enforcement are reactive responses that only address the symptoms of crime. In contrast, a conflict-based approach seeks to address the social inequities that often contribute to criminal behavior in the first place. The paper contends that maintaining the decline in crime calls for these long-term and forward-thinking strategies. The paper stresses that authorities need to address the major causes, including the lack of role models, weakened social institutions and the systemic racism that make it difficult for many to be socially mobile.

From the Paper
"Functionalist sociologists believe that the concept of deviance helps a society define the limits of acceptable behavior. If there were no formal laws, people could engage in behavior such as stealing in order to get what they want and need. These behaviors would undermine social ties and make it difficult for society to function. For functionalists, social programs punish those who have engaged in criminally deviant behavior would serve as a social deterrent. When criminals are punished, the other members of society are motivated to obey the laws."

Tags:death, penalty, juvenile, delinquency, deterrent

Abstract
This paper discusses how the death penalty continues to be a highly controversial issue with most Americans and its deterrent effect has still not been absolutely determined. This paper concludes that it is clear that the death penalty does serve society quite well under certain circumstances, but in reality, society must begin to understand the reasons why people commit violent crimes and determine how to change a person's violent tendencies which in the end will make the death penalty unnecessary.

From the Paper
"One of the most controversial issues in today's America has to do with the question as to whether or not the death penalty is a deterrent to crime. Many of those that support the death penalty argue that execution, whether by lethal injection, the electric chair or hanging, is the most suitable penalty for persons who have committed atrocious crimes like first-degree murder, rape or the murder of a child. The main contention for these supporters is that the convicted person deserves punishment that is comparable to the crime; in addition, supporters of the death penalty argue that such an action demonstrates society's adherence to moral principles. According to Robert Bidinotto, such crimes as premeditated murder "is a crime in a class by itself," for it "negates the highest moral end of a civil society," being human life (156)."

Tags:violent, crime, ethics, capital, punishment

Abstract
This paper discusses how the death penalty continues to be a highly controversial issue with most Americans and its deterrent effect has still not been absolutely determined. This paper concludes that it is clear that the death penalty does serve society quite well under certain circumstances, but in reality, society must begin to understand the reasons why people commit violent crimes and determine how to change a person's violent tendencies which in the end will make the death penalty unnecessary.

From the Paper
"One of the most controversial issues in today's America has to do with the question as to whether or not the death penalty is a deterrent to crime. Many of those that support the death penalty argue that execution, whether by lethal injection, the electric chair or hanging, is the most suitable penalty for persons who have committed atrocious crimes like first-degree murder, rape or the murder of a child. The main contention for these supporters is that the convicted person deserves punishment that is comparable to the crime; in addition, supporters of the death penalty argue that such an action demonstrates society's adherence to moral principles. According to Robert Bidinotto, such crimes as premeditated murder "is a crime in a class by itself," for it "negates the highest moral end of a civil society," being human life (156)."

Tags:violent, crime, ethics, capital, punishment

Abstract
This paper critically analyzes the anti-crime bill, a proposed bill that offers tougher sentencing for crime and which eliminates conditional sentences. The paper also looks at three key issues regarding the bill as it seeks to address crime in Canada. The paper also looks at two theoretical explanations as to why this bill may or may not address crime in Canada. In essence, this paper looks at what we know about crime and offers theoretical explanations to support the position of this writer that the anti-crime bill is not a good one insofar as it will hardly serve as a deterrent to those who are burdened by socio-economic problems or who have been propelled towards crime because of environmental problems such as social disorganization. The paper argues that the anti-crime bill is very ineffective because it emphasizes punishment without emphasizing the resolution of the factors that drive crime in the first place; it may also be said that the anti-crime bill will increase incarceration costs - which is problematic because there are already tens of thousands of individuals in Canadian prisons at the present time.

From the Paper
"This paper will critically analyze the anti-crime bill, a proposed bill that offers tougher sentencing for crime and which eliminates conditional sentences. The paper also looks at three key issues regarding the bill as it seeks to address crime in Canada. The next several pages also looks at two theoretical explanations as to why this bill may or may not address crime in Canada. In essence, this paper will look at what we know about crime and offer theoretical explanations to support the position of this writer that the anti-crime bill is not a good one insofar as it will..."

Tags:classical, positive, anti, crime

Abstract
This paper looks at the death penalty. Both sides of the coin are discussed. The positive and negative effects lead the author to ask: Does the death penalty deter crime or does it have no effect other than on the executed criminal. With numerous examples.

From the Paper
"Some time ago, a Texas journalist who had seen nearly two hundred people die in the electric chair over nearly thirty years declared that the death penalty is not a deterrent- the main claim for it. "The only person it deters," he believed, "is the man being executed." We should start by defining deterrence. It refers to an instance where an individual refrains from an act because he or she perceives a risk of punishment for the act and fears that punishment. Thus the deterrent effect of capital punishment is best evaluated in terms of the number of person prevented from committing a crime that would lead them to be penalized. So is there such a thing as the death penalty deterring society in general or was the Texas journalist right about the death penalty not having a deterrent effect on the general public?"

Tags:apply, chair, chamber, crime, dealer, drug, electric, enforce, gas, government, sentence

Abstract
This paper argues against building more prisons in the US as a deterrent to crime. Various statistics are cited which show how the number of men and women that are incarcerated have dramatically increased. The paper further states that this trend should not be given as evidence that tougher legislation is working to decrease crime.

From the Paper
"American prisons have experienced a drastic increase in the number of inmates that it houses. This rapid increase has been referred to as the `prison boom'. To some extent this increase in the number of arrests and imprisonment was a result of new legislative practices across the US to get 'tougher on crime'. Some political analysts believe that the `prison boom' is a result of more criminals being captured and some believe that to have a safer society we need to build more prisons. However, this paper will argue that increasing the number of prisons will not decrease the amount of criminal activity nor will it..."

Tags:crime, prison, racism

Abstract
This paper closely examines the different methods of punishment that include retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and societal protection. The paper describes how each punishment works, whether it deters crime or possibly results in further crimes, and which presents the best option for punishing criminals. The paper concludes that rehabilitation is the best deterrent to criminal acts, and although it is treating the symptom as opposed to the disease, better education and jobs cannot be anything but positive.

Outline:
Retribution
Deterrence
Rehabilitation
Social Protection

From the Paper
"Deterrence is based upon the idea that criminals are reasoning human beings, who commit criminal acts because it is a rational choice for them to do so: the demographics suggesting that criminal acts are prompted by social goals (such as Merton's 'Strain' theory: "Innovation involves accepting the cultural goal (financial success), but rejecting the conventional means (hard work at a 'straight' job), in favor of unconventional means (street crime)" (Macionis, 2006). By making the risk of punishment greater than the reward, deterrence implies that criminals will make a conscious choice between crime and remaining law abiding. This idea ignores issues about environment, poverty, and social pressure."

Tags:retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, societal, protection

Abstract
This paper is a dissertation research proposal that outlines assessments of the effect of Pennsylvania's juvenile transfer law on juvenile violent crime, and proposes a time series analysis to answer the research questions. The paper explains that although the execution of juveniles who committed their crimes under age 18 now is prohibited, there are still a number of unresolved and controversial issues with respect to the treatment of juveniles under the law. A few examples of these issues given include the age at which juveniles should be held legally accountable for their behavior; the age at which, and conditions under which, their degree of accountability should be likened to that of an adult; and whether age should be a consideration (a mitigating factor) in the punishment of juveniles in adult court. This paper contains a list of thematic categories, an introductory letter to interviewees, a consent form, and interview protocol for law enforcement officers.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction
Past Literature
Present Study
Historical and Legal Contexts of Juvenile Transfer
Evolution of Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Institutions
Juvenile Courts
Juvenile Crime Rates and the Youth Violence Epidemic
Policy Responses to Violent Juvenile Crime Rates
The Juvenile Transfer Response
Pennsylvania's Transfer Legislation
3 Predictors of Transfer and Implications Thereafter
Predictors of Transfer: Offender and Offense Characteristics
The Criminal Justice Process and Implications of Juvenile Transfer
Pre-trial or Pre-dispositional Release
Case Processing Time
Conviction
Sentencing
Summary
Theories of Juvenile Behavior and Treatment
Psychological Theories of Juvenile Offending
Deterrence Theory
The Classical School of Criminology
Evolution of Deterrence Theory
Chapter 5
Specific Deterrence
General Deterrence
Conclusion
Methodology
Quantitative Methodology
Qualitative Methodology
Content Analysis
Semi-Structured Interviews
Analytic Strategy
References
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D

From the Paper
"In recent decades, primarily in the early to mid-1990s, states made it much easier for accused juvenile offenders to be tried in adult court. Rather than protection of other youth, however, the modern transfer movement appeared to be motivated by desires for increased accountability, retribution, general and specific deterrence, and longer periods of incapacitation (Bishop, 2000; Fagan et al., 1987; Feld, 1998; Mears, 2003; Mears & Feld, 2000; Myers, 2003a; Redding, 2003; Sanborn, 1994; Singer, 1996a; Snyder & Sickmund, 1999; Thomas & Bilchik, 1981). These sentencing philosophies were not absent in the earlier evolution of the juvenile court. In fact, the promotion of judicial waiver, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s, was a response to the criticism that juvenile courts coddled offenders (Myers, 2005). Importantly, however, the advocacy and practice of transferring juveniles to adult court was largely limited to rare cases of very serious offending."

Tags:justice, transfer, general, deterrence, theory

Abstract
This paper contends that the development of a plan for crime prevention must carefully balance the civil liberties of the citizenry with requirements of a strong enforcement program - a difficult fence to straddle. The paper also looks at how the core of a crime prevention program must contain elements of diligence, deterrence and diversion. The paper then proposes a five point plan for reducing crime that includes a proactive and intensive community oriented policing policy, an aggressive enforcement of existing laws, and sure justice for offenders convicted of violent crimes with particularly long sentences for repeat offenders. The paper also proposes an availability of alternative programs for at risk members of society to prevent them from engaging in criminal activity as well as a system for developing performance goals and measures to determine the effectiveness of the first four points of the crime reduction program.

From the Paper
"The first point of the proposed plan to reduce crime involves the proactive approach to the crime problem. Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is the proactive approach. COPS is an integral program of community engagement, traditional law enforcement, prevention through problem solving and strategic partnerships with community leaders ("What is Community Policing?" n.p.). The intent of this program is to reduce community trepidation towards the law enforcement community and bring it into the neighborhood through a high profile presence. It has been shown that this increases trust in the community and demonstrated the ability to reduce crime by proactive means. "

Tags:community, deterrence, diversion, law, enforcement

Abstract
This paper discusses the theories behind why some people commit violent crimes against others. It discusses classical theory which is based on the early work of Cecare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. It then goes on to describe rational choice theory, deterrence theory and the rationalist theory. The paper suggests that an understanding of all the theories are necessary in order to attempt to curb an increase in violent crime.

From the Paper
"This is not to suggest that criminals should be coddled, a view parodied in the musical West Side Story when gang members sang out excuses for their bad behavior. If all criminal behavior were rationally driven, manipulation of the factors of certainty, severity and celerity would drastically reduce crime. However, ignoring the other things that influence and even detract from logical processes will lead to a greater understanding of why individuals commit crimes. In that way, the specific approach points to the general approach, because in research we find specific individuals, who, when grouped together in an effective research model, can suggest explanations for their behavior (Aurhahn & Parker, 1998). For example, research shows that alcohol abuse and violence correlate highly. But knowing such facts does not always point to simple solutions, possibly because behavior is too complex to be blamed on one behavior. This was demonstrated ironically and powerfully with this country's experiment with prohibition, which led to a dramatic increase in some crimes."

Tags:legal, punishment, deterrence