CrimeReligion and Crime

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

Life imprisonment

Life imprisonment is the most severe punishment given. The average life sentence is 15 years although it may be longer such as in the case of Myra Hindley. There are less than 50 prisoners in the UK who will remain in prison until they die.