Perceptions and Experiences of Crime, Victimisation, and Criminal Justice - Case Study Example

PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF CRIME, VICTIMISATION, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE By (Name) Institution Instructor Class/Course City Date Introduction One of the impacts of urbanization is the inflow of crime, valance and other criminal activities in urban cities. Many cities are normally not safe especially at dark while others are very safe. The perception of safety is locked within each and every individual and protection on ones’ self is the first priority. Due to instances of poverty, unemployment, indiscipline, family breakups drugs among others, many people especially young people get involved in crime, violence, threats and other forms of criminal activities (Barak, 2000). This paper takes on a keen survey on adults in England and Wales to determine their perceptions and experiences of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system. The research utilized survey methods and applied exploratory research techniques to analyze and uncover the reasons for on crime perceptions and experiences of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system. Methodology Research methods: The main research methods that this study sought to adapt was the survey study techniques. In this regard, the study was a cross sectional survey which used to gather information on a population at a single point in time. Survey instruments like questionnaires were used, therefore, besides surveys techniques; it utilized some of the exploratory techniques of research since less literature exists in adults in England and Wales with respect to their perceptions and experiences of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system. Research strategies: The independence strategy was adopted so as to enable the study extract and analyze variables that had been envisaged at the initial stage of the research. The logic strategy was however adapted to aid in the formation of conclusion about the objects and the topic of study based on the data collected and review of literature. In this case, the independent variables were income levels, personal aspirations, expectations, self control, perceptions and experiences of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system, lifestyle, age, gender, marital status, working hours, education, and personality Data type, source, analysis, interpretation and presentation: The research utilized both primary and secondary data. The qualitative and quantitative data was collected for analysis and formation of credible conclusion on the research objectives and topic of study. Secondary data was extensively collected from both soft and hard copies of text books containing information on saving. Empirical information was also collected from journal articles and other scholarly materials. On the other hand, primary data was obtained from the actual field of study way of administered research instruments. Field quality control checks shall be adhered to in order to avoid interviewer and interviewee effect, non sampling errors among other short comings. At a more practical sense, the study extracted primary data by administering a questionnaire to the members of the sample. Qualitative data was analyzed by way of content analysis while quantitative data shall be fed into SPSS so as to effectively extract measures consistent with the objectives and topic of study. Qualitative data analysis involved intensive content analysis and review of literature. Quantitative data analysis involved examination of trends determining of measures of dispersion i.e. standard deviation, variance and others, measures of central tendency i.e. the mean, mode and median and lastly measures of dispersion which included regression, and correlation analysis. Charts were also used to assess the threshold of opinions expressed by the respondents on the variables outlined in the questionnaires and interview schedule. Interpretation and presentation based on the objects and topic of study respectively followed thereof. Sampling: The study will assume convenient or purposive sampling. From each study area (stratum), a maximum of one hundred interviews were conducted. Interviews included only participants in these areas who have stayed for over one year and have had some level of income. Purposive sampling was deliberately adopted so as to take advantage of the judgmental ability of the interviewer to determine the respondent who had the right information especially adults’ perceptions and experiences of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system England and Wales. Analysis 1/Descriptive Statistics N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation Person number 1 (respondent): Age 1919 16 93 49.93 18.596 Valid N (list wise) 1919 According to the descriptive table above, the number of the respondents was 1919 with a mean age of 49.9 years. Basically, youngest respondent was aged 16 years old, and the oldest respondent was 93 years old. The standard deviation of their age was 18.596. 2/Descriptive Statistics N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation Total household income in last year 1505 1 13 6.84 3.383 Valid N (listwise) 1505 From the table above, out of the 1505 households interviewed, the mean household income was 6.84 with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 13. The standard deviation of the household income was 3.383. Table 1: Duration taken in the area Number Percent Less than 12 months 113 5.9 12 months but less than 2 years 117 6.1 2 years but less than 3 years 81 4.2 3 years but less than 5 years 125 6.5 5 years but less than 10 years 270 14.1 10 years but less than 20 years 368 19.2 20 years or longer 846 44.1 Total 1920 100.0 According to the table above, out of the 1920 respondents, 44.1% have lived in the area for 20 years and above. 19.2%, 14.1%, 6.5%, 6.1%, 5.9%, and 4.2% have lived in the area in 10 years but less than 20 years, 5 years but less than 10 years, 3 years but less than 5 years, 12 months but less than 2 years, and less than 12 months respectively. Table 2: How safe do you feel walking alone in this area during the day Number Percent Very safe 1387 72.4 Fairly safe 458 23.9 A bit unsafe 66 3.4 very unsafe 6 .3 Total 1917 100.0 Missing 3 Total 1920 From the above table, apart from the missing three people, 72.4 percent felt very safe when walking during the day alone while 23.9% felt fairly safe, 3.4% felt a bit unsafe, and 0.3% felt very unsafe walking alone during the day. Table 2: One MAIN cause of crime in Britain today Number Percent A. Too lenient sentencing 211 11.0 B. Poverty 69 3.6 C. Lack of discipline from school 73 3.8 D. Lack of discipline from parents 598 31.1 E. Drugs 563 29.3 F. Alcohol 114 5.9 G. Unemployment 44 2.3 H. Breakdown of family 95 4.9 I. Too few police 66 3.4 SPONTANEOUS: Do not think there is one main cause 64 3.3 99 23 1.2 Total 1920 100.0 In Britain, out of the 1920 respondents interviewed, 31.1% felt that lack of parental discipline is the major cause of crime. 29.3%, 11%, 5.9%, 4.9%,3.8%, 3.6%, 3.4%, 3.3% and 2.3% felt that the main cause of crime in Britain today is drugs, lenient sentencing, alcoholism, breakdown in family, lack of discipline in school, poverty, few police, there are many causes, and unemployment respectively. Age group Number Percent 16-48 947 49.3 49-93 972 50.7 Total 1919 100.0 Missing 1 Total 1920 The age group represented in the study included the highest number being between 49-93 years old (50.7%) and 49.3% being the age range of 16-48 years old. This area is basically composed of older people than younger people. Table 1: Person number 1 (respondent): Sex * How safe do you feel walking alone after dark Cross tabulation How safe do you feel walking alone after dark Total Very safe Fairly safe A bit unsafe Very unsafe Person number 1 (respondent): Sex Male Count 337 357 132 44 70 % within Person number 1 (respondent): Sex 38.7% 41.0% 15.2% 5.1% 00.0% Female Count 151 429 285 178 043 % within Person number 1 (respondent): Sex 14.5% 41.1% 27.3% 17.1% 00.0% Total Count 488 786 417 222 913 % within Person number 1 (respondent): Sex 25.5% 41.1% 21.8% 11.6% 00.0% Based on the table above, female feel very unsafe than male when walking alone after dark. 38.7% of men fell very safe walking after dark compared to only 14.5% of the female who fell safe walking alone after dark. Table 1: Experience of any crime in the previous 12 months * How worried about being mugged and robbed Cross tabulation How worried about being mugged and robbed total very worried Fairly worried Not very worried Not at all worried Not applicable) Experience of any crime in the previous 12 months Not a victim of crime Count 58 370 733 284 4 549 within Experience of any crime in the previous 12 months 0.2% 23.9% 47.3% 18.3% 0.3% 00.0% Victim of crime Count 2 97 173 46 1 69 % within Experience of any crime in the previous 12 months 4.1% 26.3% 46.9% 12.5% 0.3% 00.0% Total Count 210 467 906 330 5 918 % within Experience of any crime in the previous 12 months 10.9% 24.3% 47.2% 17.2% 0.3% 00.0% The table above shows the experiences of the interviewed respondents in the last 12 months. Out of the 549 respondents who have not been victims of crime in the last 12 months, only a very few people, 0.2% of them, feel very worried, while majority of them, 47.3% are not worried of being mugged and robbed. However, out of the 918 respondents who have fell victims of crime, 10.9% are still worried of being mugged and robbed while majority of them, 46.9% are still not worried at all of being mugged and robbed. The table below shows the correlation of men and women who have been found guilty and sent to prison. Correlations Of 100 women FOUND GUILTY of burglary how many are sent to prison Of 100 men FOUND GUILTY of burglary how many are sent to prison Of 100 women FOUND GUILTY of burglary how many are sent to prison Pearson Correlation 1 .857** Sig. (2-tailed) .000 N 1883 1881 Of 100 men FOUND GUILTY of burglary how many are sent to prison Pearson Correlation .857** 1 Sig. (2-tailed) .000 N 1881 1900 **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). From the table, there is a significant correlation between men and women who are found guilty of burglary out of 100 women and men sent to prison. The graph below illustrates further on the estimated number of male and female sent to prison out of burglary. The table below also shows the correlation between the duration an individual spend in prison when sentenced for 12 months and the number of years that an individual take in prison on rape conviction. There is a positive correlation meaning that the two variables are directly related. Correlations How long will someone spend in prison if sentenced to 12 months How many YEARS will someone convicted of rape get How long will someone spend in prison if sentenced to 12 months Pearson Correlation 1 .105** Sig. (2-tailed) .000 N 1903 1689 How many YEARS will someone convicted of rape get Pearson Correlation .105** 1 Sig. (2-tailed) .000 N 1689 1703 **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). The graph below illustrate further on the same. Young people are also involved in crime and the table below shows the distribution of the young people being involved in crime, violence and threats out of 100 crimes committed. Conclusion Basically, safety is subject to psychological as well as physical realities that an individual must go through considering the uncertainties surrounding humanity in the modern day societies. However, the number of criminal activities has so far risen in the past (Gerstenfeld, 2013). Many people, according to the analysis above believe the rise in crime rate is due to poor parenting while others think on more than one cause for criminal increase. It is upon the government to step up their war against criminals and people to be increasingly aware of their safety day in day out (Webb, & Wills, 2012). Young people should be rehabilitated and given proper discipline as they grow in order to avoid indiscipline acts later in their lives. Parents should also know the impacts of divorce cases to their children as these are some of the factors leading to neglects and lawlessness among young people. References Barak, G. (2000). Crime and crime control a global view. Westport, Conn, Greenwood Press. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=491631. Entorf, H., Entorf-Spengler, & Spengler, H. (2002). Crime in Europe: causes and consequences ; with 80 tables. Berlin [u.a.], Springer. Gerstenfeld, P. B. (2013). Hate crimes: causes, controls, and controversies. Thousand Oaks, SAGE Publications. Lab, S. P. (2010). Crime prevention approaches, practices and evaluations. [Albany, NY], LexisNexis/Anderson Pub. http://lib.myilibrary.com?id=295597. Martin, S. E., & Sechrest, L. B. (1981). New directions in the rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Washington, D.C., National Academy Press. Miethe, T. D., & Meier, R. F. (1994). Crime and its social context: toward an integrated theory of offenders, victims, and situations. Albany, NY, State Univ. of New York Press. Webb, D., & Wills Herrera, E. (2012). Subjective well-being and security. Dordrecht, Springer. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2278-1. Wilcox, P., Land, K. C., & Hunt, S. A. (2002). Criminal circumstance: a dynamic multi-contextual criminal opportunity theory. New York, Walter de Gruyter, Inc. Read More