Tag: punishment

  • Sociological Research on Life Imprisonment

    A life sentence in jail is the most severe form of punishment the English Criminal Justice System can hand out, and the number of people serving life imprisonment in England and Wales has increased in the last few decades, but how do those sentenced to a Life-term in jail cope? This recent Thinking Allowed Podcast…

  • Does Prison Work? The Stats suggest not!

    What can prison population statistics tell us about Crime Control in the UK?  Is Prison an effective strategy for controlling crime? These are questions that should be of interest to any student studying the Crime and Deviance option within A-level sociology. Scotland, England and Wales have high prison populations  In England and Wales we lock…

  • Sociological Perspectives on Punishment

    One way of controlling and reducing crime is to punish offenders. Given that punishment typically involves restricting people’s freedom and sometimes inflicting harm on people, it requires some justification as a strategy for crime control. Two main justifications exist for punishment: Crime reduction and retribution. These methods link to different penal policies. Reduction One justification…

  • Evaluate Sociological Perspectives on Prison as a Form of Punishment (Essay Plan)

    1. Functionalists would point to the positive functions prison might perform in society –Prison could act as a deterrent – thus reinforcing social regulation; and it should also work to maintain equilibrium and balance in our society – making up for the failings of other institutions such as the family and the education system –…