The Dilemmas of Criminal Policy

języki obce

Basic knowledge of the main theoretical orientations in the sociology of deviance

Basic understanding of sociological research methodology

Criteria for admittance in case of too many candidates: Motivation letter

w sali

The objective of this seminar is to examine the basic themes in the contemporary public and scholarly debate on various proposals for dealing with crime. We will engage in a critical analysis of the theoretical underpinnings of the main arguments in this debate, and assess the extent to which these claims have been confirmed (or questioned) in empirical research. The various controversies and dilemmas (legal, moral, practical) associated with each of these proposals will be highlighted and discussed.

Throughout the seminar, we will discuss key issues of contemporary criminology and criminal policy. Apart from a discussion of the theoretical rationale and ideological underpinnings of the various policy proposals to lower crime, we will engage in an in-depth analysis of selected empirical studies which offer a new perspective on the issues under discussion using innovative theoretical and methodological approaches.

A starting point for the discussion will be a diagnosis of the “crime problem”. We will assess the basic sources of crime data, analyze the incidence of crime in various countries and environments, and discuss various attempts to quantify the “costs of crime” for the purpose of more informed policymaking. Next, we will move on to an analysis of specific proposals for criminal and penal policy. The latter include, first, increasing the severity and certainty of criminal sanctions. This idea is questionable in light of the results of deterrence research, but still embraced by public opinion and policy actors. In the recent years, such policies are represented by proposals to make the personal data on offenders publicly available (e.g., Megan's Law). A second kind of policy response is focused on the police and their relationship with the local communities they serve (the idea of “community policing”) - here, the question is whether changes in police organization can make policemen more responsive to the needs of community members. Third, we will discuss the social and political implications of the widespread use of crime prevention policies making use of the opportunities for the surveillance of citizens offered by new technology (e.g., CCTV and electronic monitoring of offenders), as well as the effectiveness of such policies. A fourth important issue is related to the concept of restorative justice, implying a wider use of non-custodial sentences and mediation in criminal cases.

The course as a whole is focused on uncovering the hidden, controversial assumptions underlying the various theories of crime and criminal policy, which appear in the media and in contemporary political debate.

A full and updated list will be provided at the start of the semester. Below, I offer some examples of texts related to the main themes of the course.

A. Adams & J. Ferryman (2012). „The Future of Video Analytics for Surveillance and its Ethical Implications” Security Journal. DOI: 10.1057/sj.2012.48

N. Christie “Crime control as industry”.

J. Donohue, P. Siegelman (1998) "Allocating Resources among Prisons and Social Programs in the Battle Against Crime," Journal of Legal Studies XXVII: 1-43.

J.C. Hinkle (2015). „Emotional Fear of Crime vs. Perceived Safety and Risk: Implications for Measuring “Fear” and Testing the Broken Windows Thesis”. American Journal of Criminal Justice 40(1): 147–168.

C.E. Loeffler (2013). “Does Imprisonment Alter the Life Course? Evidence on Crime and. Employment From a Natural Experiment,” Criminology, 51(1), 137–166.

V. Pavone et al. (2017) „Beyond the security paradox: Ten criteria for a socially informed security policy” Public Understanding of Science, DOI: 10.1177/0963662517702321.

E. Schlosser (1998). “The Prison-Industrial Complex.” The Atlantic Monthly (December).

P. Selznick (1966).“Justice without trail. Law enforcement in Democratic Society”, rozdz. 3 “A sketch of the Policeman's working personality”

J. Simon (2000). „Megan's Law: Crime and Democracy in Late Modern America”, 25 Law & Soc. Inquiry 1111.

S. Waiton (2009). „Policing after the crisis. Crime, safety and the vulnerable public”. Punishment and Society 11(3): 359-376.

R. G. Zevitz (2006). “Sex Offender Community Notification: its Role in Recidivism and Offender Reintegration”, Criminal Justice Studies, vol. 19(2).

K_W01 Knows and understands basic concepts of the followinf sub-domains of sociology: sociology of law, sociology of crime, sociology of deviance

K_W03 Is aware of ongoing theoretical and methodological disputes conducted in modern sociology of crime and deviance; is reflective and critical of various positions

K_W05 Has in-depth knowledge about various criminal policy proposals, discussed and implemented in Poland as well as in other countries

K_W16 Has in-depth knowledge about major international sociological research pertaining to crime and criminal policy

K_U17 Can relate an academic text to the problems of social life, in particular, in the field of criminal policy

K_U19 Can prepare a presentation of a selected problem or study in English

K_K07 Can justify the choice of sources

K_K10 Independently sets directions of personal development and further learning

Active discussion during class, written assignments