Crime
All major religions recognise the importance of law and order in society – the law should be respected
Christians believe the causes of crime should be tackled and promote the idea of forgiveness
Muslims believe that they should follow the Qur’an and the law of Muhammad
Causes of Crime
Social causes: lack of education / abusive violent parents / drug or alcohol addiction / boredom and poor role models
Environmental causes: unemployment / poor estates and gang rivalry
Psychological causes: mental illness / violence on TV or in games
Types of Crime
Criminal law: where the state law has been broken: Murder / Robbery etc
Civil law: personal disputes / divorce / sue companies
Indictable: more serious crimes / rape / murder
Non-indictable: less serious / driving offences
Types of Crime
Crimes against the person: Murder / Assault
Crimes against property: Vehicle theft / shop lifting / criminal damage
Crimes against the state: Terrorism or Treason
Religious Offences
Sin: A crime against religion or God – breaking the commandments
Some are similar to the law “Do not steal” some are religions “Remember the Sabbath”
Blasphemy – insulting God or religion can be very serious in Muslim countries and carries the death penalty
Aims of Punishment
Protection - protect the public from dangerous people like murders
Retribution – Revenge for a crime – eye for an eye
Deterrence – Stops people committing crimes because of the high punishment – puts people off
Aims of Punishment
Reformation – To change people and their behaviour for the better
Vindication – So people respect the law if there is no punishment people would not obey
Reparation – To make up for their crime, give something back to society - community service
Christian Views
Idea of revenge / getting even / retribution – not acceptable
The Law must be upheld – Vindication
Work with the causes of crime and crime prevention
Must REFORM – punishment and forgiveness go together
Muslim Views
Deter people from crime – heavy punishments
Public humiliation – flogging
Law must be respected and the victim satisfied
Muslims hope that they will repent and seek forgiveness from Allah
Prisons
Protect from dangerous people
Isolate and punish
Stop reoffending
Deterrent and Vindication
A chance to reform
Prisons
Schools for crime
Breed resentment / bitterness
Very Expensive - £30 000 per year
Most prisoners reoffend 70%
Difficult to get a job
Religious beliefs
All religions accept the need for prisons
Must reform criminals – education and qualifications
Need to support prisoners on release
Help to overcome addiction
Religious Views
Christians actively involved in prison reform – Vicars visit prisoners
Christians have campaigned for more emphasis on reform
Muslims hope that prison is a deterrence and that criminals will ask for Allah’s forgiveness
Capital Punishment / Death Penalty
In 1969 the UK abolished the death penalty
Arguments for:
Retribution – life for a life Deterrence – high punishment Protection – can never reoffend Finance – Much cheaper than
keeping someone in prison for 15 years
Arguments Against
Mistakes – Innocent people have been executed
Protection – life in prison should mean life
Deterrence – No evidence that it is more of a deterrent than life in prison
Rights – should the government have the right?
Christian Views
Some Christians support the death penalty – it is still used in parts of America. The bible says a life for a life
Other Christians believe in forgiveness and that only God has the right to take life away
Thou shall not murder – 10 Commandments
Muslim
Most Muslim countries have the death penalty for murder
Sometimes financial compensation is offered instead of the death penalty
Muhammad accepted the justice of a life for a life
Alternative Punishments
Electronic Tagging – Cheaper than prison but crimes can still be committed – e.g before curfew…. Is an easy punishment?!
Community Service – Gives something back to society, teaches reform, seen as an easy punishment
Alternative Punishments
Fines – Can be instant but some people cant afford it!
Probation – period of good behaviour - offers advice and does not impact on family
Young Offenders
The term young offender refers to anyone under 18 who has broken the law.
If a young offender commits a minor crime they may be given:
a reprimand a final warning an ASBO (Anti Social Behaviour
Order)
Serious Offences Young offenders
Secure training centre – purpose built centres with a focus on education and rehabilitation
Secure Children’s home – run by the local authority social services and focus on the physical, emotional and behavioural needs of the young people
Young offenders Institution – Run by the actual prison service as a form of protection to the public and rehabilitation to the young person
Parole
Parole is when a prisoner is released without completing their sentence, this is because they have shown good behaviour in prison and are no longer considered a risk to society. If they are granted parole they need to report to a parole officer on a regular basis.
Early release
Early release is when a prison is let out of prison before they have served their full sentence. This may happen in the case of political prisoners or due to overcrowding in prisons
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