The Decline of Youth Clubs in the UK: Austerity, Social Breakdown and the Cost of Ignoring Young People
The decline of youth clubs in the UK is one of the austerity era’s quietest but most damaging failures. While […]
Culture and Identity, youth
crime
Crime and Deviance
Understanding Atrocity Crimes: A Criminological Perspective
This blog post explores the emerging subfield of atrocity criminology, focusing on the definitions, causes, and complexities of atrocity crimes like genocide and war crimes. It discusses the slow engagement of criminology with these issues since the 1990s and emphasizes the need for multi-level analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration to better understand and address these extreme acts of violence.
Crime and Deviance
The Lessons of Southport: A Sociological Analysis of the Tragic Child Murders
Axel Rudakubana committed a shocking knife attack in Southport in July 2024, murdering three young girls. In January 2025 he
Crime and Deviance
A Sociological Analysis of The Grenfell Tower Report
The Grenfell report reveals that the avoidable deaths of 54 adults and 18 children resulted from systematic failures by various parties responsible for building safety. A kitchen fire ignited due to a faulty fridge-freezer, and the use of combustible cladding exacerbated the fire’s rapid spread. Budget constraints prioritized profit over safety, highlighting the consequences of neoliberal policies.
Crime and Deviance
Masculinities, Crime and Criminology, Richard Collier
Collier (1998) criticizes Messerschmidt’s concept of hegemonic masculinity as too limited, arguing that it fails to consider the complexity of social subjects. He uses the case of the Dunblane Massacre to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of masculinity and its influence on violent behavior. Collier’s nuanced approach provides insight into the specific violence of men.
Crime and Deviance
Masculinities and Crime: James W. Messerschmidt
Messerschmidt (1993) notes that males commit most crimes and therefore any study of crime must include a study of masculine
Crime and Deviance
Prisoner Convicted of Running a Drugs Ring from Jail…
Alexander Mullins was sentenced to 19 years for running a drugs ring from prison. He used smuggled phones and drones to orchestrate the operation, with complicit prison staff and understaffing aiding the smuggling. The case highlights challenges in prison management, technology enabling crime, and the limitations of adopting a tough approach in combating criminal activity.
Crime and Deviance
The Chivalry Thesis: explaining rates of female crime
The Chivalry Thesis states that women are let of relatively lightly by predominately male police and judges. It is one
Crime and Deviance
What is restorative justice and does it work?
Restorative Justice encompasses victim-offender mediation, family group conferences, and sentencing circles, emphasizing core values and ethical principles. It promotes lay encounters, narrative expression, and ritual dynamics, empowering communities and promoting emotional restoration. The approach aligns with principles of fairness, accountability, and empowerment and has shown promise in reducing reoffending rates.
Sociology key terms
How are Criminals Punished in England and Wales?
In England and Wales, sentencing for criminal offenses takes place in magistrates or crown courts, considering factors like the seriousness of the offense, the defendant’s plea, character, and criminal record. Punishments range from discharges for minor offenses (2%) to fines (80%), community sentences (7%), and custodial sentences for the most serious crimes (11%). Judgments may also include disposal orders and ancillary orders.