Criminal justice-Deterrence theory - Essay Example

Task Criminal Justice-Deterrence Theory Imprisonment of criminals plays a crucial role in deterring them from repeating the crime as the punishment is severe and makes them not to commit the crimes again. It also acts as a lesson to other people who may be in the same line of crime, and ensures that they do not commit the crime due to fear of the punishment they could face if they are arrested (Wu, pp 2). However, the length of imprisonment is an issue of eminent contention since it will have a say in the end results of the effects of the punishment offered.

This report will look at the advisability of increasing imprisonment terms of crimes associated with theft particularly when it is associated with drugs.The Deterrence Theory explains that punishing the criminal will make them not to repeat the crime, and will discourage the public from being engaged in similar criminal activities. On this base, it follows that the level of punishment should match the impacts of the crime in question. Certainty operates in Deterrence Theory in that when people are accused of a crime, they must be punished to avert repetition of the crime (Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 66).

Severity implies that punishment because of a crime should be as severe as the affects it had on those it affected. Severity relates to deterrence theory in that criminals should be punished in accordance to the crimes they did, and the punishment should stop them from repeating the crime. Celerity refers to the speed at which punishment is given to a criminal, and it operates in Deterrence Theory in that criminals should be punished as soon as they commit the crime so that their memory is still fresh of the actions they committed.

The most significant of the three is certainty as it refers to the surety that a criminal will be caught and be punished (Wright, pp 5). Severity and celerity would not be in existence if certainty did not operate since if the criminals were not caught and punishment would not be guaranteed. This stops people from engaging in crime since they know the consequence of their actions is punishment. Persistent thieves do not operate in accordance to crime as choice model since they know the consequence, which is punishment to stop them from repeating the crime, and they still engage in theft (Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 69).

Increasing the length of jail terms for criminals who have been caught stealing under the influence of drugs will be crucial in their correction since they will be deterred from repeating the crime. In most cases, they steal because they want to buy the drugs and holding them will help in rehabilitating them hence they will come out of jail as responsible citizens (Wu, pp 2).Legislation policies in the 1970’s were based on deterrence and criminals would be given severe sanctions when caught.

The get-tough policies introduced laws that would see the deterrence procedures tightened and this played a crucial role in eliminating crime. Capital punishment was reinstated, and drug and violence related prison terms were increased. Parole was eliminated, and this showed the commitment the government had in combating crime. Juvenile criminals began being tried in criminal courts, and this played a noteworthy role in eliminating crime in the society (Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 54).I believe that increasing the prison term for criminals found guilty of engaging in theft under the influence of drugs will play a crucial role in their rehabilitation, and will deter them from repeating the crimes.

It will also act as a lesson to the public, and will make them not engage in such criminal activities since they are aware of the strict punishment they will face if they are caught.Works CitedVito, Gennaro & Maahs, Jeffrey, and Holmes, Ronald. Criminology: Theory, Research, And Policy: Criminal Justice Illuminated, 2006. Ontario: Jones & Bartlett learning. Pp 4-293. Print.Wright, Valerie. Deterrence in Criminal Justice: Evaluating Certainty vs. Severity ofPunishment. The Sentence Project, 2010 .Pp 1-7.Wu, Stephen.

The Effectiveness of Imprisonment as a Deterrence-based Criminal Justice Response. CRIM 420 – Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policy, 2005. Pp 1-12.