Criminology

Diploma Level 3

Phase 3 induction work

Criminology induction work

• What work is being set?

In order to prepare you for the course ahead and give you a flavour of the work we will be doing in class, we have planned three phases of independent work. In phase one you will be considering what crime is; in phase 2 you will investigate why people might commit crime and in phase 3 you will investigate some solutions to crime.

• How long should you spend on this work?

Each phase should not take you any longer than 5 hours (so 15 in total)

• Who should you send this work to and / contact with any questions?

mnf@hardenhuish.wilts.sch.uk

• How and when should you submit work?

Please submit work by the phase 3 deadline 2nd September

Phase 3 overview

For this phase you will considering solutions to crime. There are many different solutions, and these are also Relative (according to the situational, historical or cultural context).

These solutions also depend on how crime is viewed- for example Sociological ideas vary within the theory and compared to other theories, such as Biological approaches. (As you started to investigate in Phase 2)

Some solutions include initiatives to deter from crime (eg community policing and youth centres), whilst others aim to punish the behaviour.

Read through the power point, and complete the research task.

Throughout the work you will also find links that will support you further.

Please make sure you

read the last slide:

Your Criminology

Checklist

‘Situational’

The situation can have an impact on the solution. For example the type of crime results in different solutions.

Killing someone would result in a harsher sentence than a crime such as stealing.

However, the situation surrounding the killing also impacts the solution:

Murder (in the UK) would result in a long term prison sentence (usually life) , however if the killing is ruled as self – defence this sentence would be much lower or the ‘killer’ could be acquitted.

Note: many other situational factors have an impact too, such as psychological health and so on.

Situational: Example

Sally Challen case:

Sally Challen was found guilty of murder after she killed her husband with a hammer in 2011 and was sentenced to 22 years. However, the law changed in 2015 which added coercive behaviour (psychological manipulation or forced control) as a form of domestic abuse. As a result she appealed and was released in 2019.

Situation: Domestic abuse and law change.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-47407204

‘Historical’

• The type of solutions also varies according to the historical context; this can

be because of changing law (as we saw in our last example) or changing

norms (as we investigated in Phase 1), or a change to the solution itself.

• Can you think of any solutions we no longer use in the UK?

Historical: Example

• Ruth Ellis case:

In 1955 28 year old Ruth Ellis shot and killed her long term boyfriend as he left a pub in London. During the case it was discovered that he had physically abused Ruth, giving her a black eye, broken bones and causing at least one miscarriage. However, domestic abuse was not considered as mitigating circumstances at this time (situational) so she was found guilty of murder and hung (Historical).

In fact she was the last women to be hung in Britain.

http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/ruth.html

Historical: Capital punishment (Death penalty)

Cultural: Example

• In some middle eastern countries punishment by stoning still exists, for example as punishment for adultery. A hole is usually dug into the ground and the criminal is buried up to their waist, so they are unable to move , and their head covered. Onlookers then throw stones at the ‘criminal’ until they die.

• However, this type of punishment is more likely to be used with women rather than men. Men are much less likely to face the death penalty for adultery.

• Even in countries where this form of execution is illegal, police often overlook communities continuing with this form.

• https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=stoning+criminals&docid=608044322412826247&mid=58DF46C8DEB2B5441CC158DF46C8DEB2B5441CC1&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Cultural: Example

• The USA is the only developed western nation that still applies the death

penalty and this is used in 28 states.

• In fact the minimum age for death by electrocution is just 14 in Arkansas.

Task 1: Research• You must choose one solution to crime of your choice, this can be from any time

period and any culture.

• 1) What is the solution? When was it introduced and/or abolished?

• 2) What types of crimes are associated with this solution? Are there any famous

cases you could include?

• 3) Is the solution supported by the public or is it controversial?

• 4) Does the solution work? Has it had an impact on reducing crime or

reoffending? What are some of the advantages or disadvantages?

• 5) Would the approach you investigated in Phase 2 support or discourage the

solution and why?

Some solution examples:

Task 2:

• Once complete, create a detailed mind map/ handout/ poster of your

solution.

• Make this bright, eye catching and informative.

Criminology Checklist

• When you start the Criminology course you will need the following for every lesson:

1) A lever arche file, file dividers and lined paper (some students like to use plastic wallets for their file as well)

2) Basic stationary, including highlighters.

3) Laptop (if you wish), you can either write your notes on a laptop or by hand, however if you do use a laptop you must regularly print your notes off and file, as you can use your file in some of your controlled assessments.

* We will provide you will a text book for the year (deposit will be required) as well as resource and assessment booklets for your criminology Units. Make sure you bring these to lessons when necessary as well.

Want to learn more?

• Check out these free courses, ranging from just 1 hour long.

These will be great prep for the year and give you a wealth of skills to support

your learning.

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue