Criminological Theory Into Action

criminological Theory into Action Ashley Willis Ameri atomic number 50 InterContinental University Abstract Criminological Theory is the plunk forb cardinal of immoral policy. What is understood through the psychoanalyse of barbarouss can accurately be work come forthd to enhance the sinful form. This root word looks at three cruel policies (Expungement of Records, hardihood, and Rehabilition Prorams) through the lens of criminological theory. The focus of the paper is primarily on Juvenile offenders, as I hope to snip in the juvenile system upon graduation. Turning Criminological Theory into ActionCriminological theories tin important information regarding the motives for disgust and assureing the individual criminal. However, one of the or so important applications of criminological theory is the development of policy from it. This paper looks at three policies Expungement of Records, D. A. R. E, and replenishment programmes with the attempt at making theoretical c onnections to them. Expungement of Records The expungement bring includes the destroying or sealing of criminal records (Funk & Polsby, 1998).After a criminal is convicted of a crime, they may apply for expungement only when is usu on the wholey only granted if the criminal proves that they ar rehabilitated or if they enter expungement as a bargain with the state for deviate of events over evidence in a related or uncorrelated case. The most applicable form of expungement, however, occurs when a Juveniles records argon sealed as they enter adulthood (Funk & Polsby, 1998). This is a controversial policy, as some professionals finger that expungement is a method of excusing crime that has an over totally disallow effect on recidivism (Funk & Polsby, 1998).The theoretical framework for expungement of records is Labeling Theory (Funk & Polsby, 1998). Born break through of the humanistic movements of the 60s and 70s, labeling theory boldly states that rules of order is to bl ame for delinquency (Funk & Polsby, 1998). However, the theory goes further to explain the repercussions of holding onto criminal records, particularly for youth (Funk & Polsby, 1998). Howard Becker (1963) described this effect beautifully when he stated deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender.The pervert is one to whom the label has successfully been applied deviant demeanour is behavior that people so label (Funk & Polsby, 1998). While it is clear that expungement is not a good choice for every juvenile or criminal with a record, one can definitely see, through the lens of labeling theory that it is unavoidable in some cases. Walking through life with the label criminal volition help the individual stay in that mindset and make to future criminal activity. A lot of how an individual functions in orderliness relies on the labels they carry.In certain cases, removing t he criminal label may be the cost increase that juveniles, or other criminals may need to shed their criminal undress and move forward to more productive labels. D. A. R. E D. A. R. E is one of the most recognizable programs for do medicines prevention among American youth. Used in nearly 80% of the school districts in the United claims, in 54 other countries around the world (Hason, 2007), D. A. R. E intends to make electric razorren aware of the implications of drug and alcohol use.During these programs, drug culture is explained (so that the child receipts what to look for in a drug user), the dangers of drug use is explained and drugs, alcohol and tobacco are all shown to the children in the classroom as associated imagery so that the child may report any drug use in the homes or know what they are facing when presented with peer pressure. Although generally viewed by golf-club as a positive program, evidence stacks up to support the ineffectuality of hardiness program s (Hason, 2007).Proponents of the program argue this belief In Houston, Texas, where a choose showed a shocking 29% increase in drug exercise and a 34% increase in tobacco usage among students fighting(a) in DARE, the police chief defended it by saying he would use the results to fine-tune the program to better serve the children. (Hason, 2007) One has to wonder what goes ill-timed here. The program is designed to inhibit drug use among the youth of our society why is it that it is actually failing them? Criminological Theory can twain back up and disprove DARE programs.The program itself operates to combat the effect of Neutralization Theory (Goode, 2012). Neutralization theory requires that the individual rationalizes the act of drug use before doing it they may state that what they were doing wasnt harmful or that it didnt hurt anybody they may deny responsibility or turn it around on the adults who condemn them (Goode, 2012). What the DARE program does is tries to take fo rward the denial so that society can easily say back to the user You knew the dangers, you are responsible.You took a DARE program and were warned of the dangers and you were also inclined tools to help resist the temptation and walk away from it. In theory, DARE takes the denial out of the act. However, the program ignores the danger of exposing children, who would otherwise not be exposed to the subculture of drug use (Goode, 2012). Differential Association theory states that all behavior is learned and thus drug abuse is no assorted (Goode, 2012). For every child that is setting in DARE class and persuasion about the negative consequences of drug use, there is likely a child which is picking up on the techniques of drug usage (Goode, 2012).Since the programs go into such detail regarding drug and alcohol use, it can actually work as an educational program or motivating factor for some. For those kids who dont want to conform who want to play the bad guy role, DARE is likely to open doors rather than close them, as is their intended purpose. Rehabilitation Programs Rehabilitation programs must be implemented into a corrections system, if that system is to become effective (Southerland, 2012). It is much safer to say that a criminal will be less likely to commit crime once reintroduced to society, if they let gone through a renewal program.Many models go for rehabilitation programs exist but most of them try to explain the reasons why offenders are committing criminal acts in the first place (Southerland, 2012). From this analysis, the offender is turnn a program that fits their personal needs (Southerland, 2012). One of the cornerstones of rehabilitation programs is teaching offenders coping skills (Southerland, 2012). If the offender is charged with a drug related crime, they may be taught methods for resisting drugs if the crime is theft, they may be coached on finding a job so that the motivation for theft can be removed.The idea is that the offende r comes out of the system with the ability to function in society whereas they were having issues before. Agnews tenseness theory basically states that societal strain leads to criminal activity (Florida posit University, n. d. ). These strains can be classified as failure to achieve positively valued stimulithe loss of positively valued stimulithe presentation of negative stimuli (Florida State University, n. d. ). While it is not possible to fix a criminals life and give them everything they need it is possible to give the criminal techniques for dealing with these types of strain.It is the aim of the rehabilitation program to provide criminals with tools to combat this strain. If you give a criminal a resume and interview class, they are more likely to get a job. If you give a criminal with a drug problem drug rehabilitation, they are more likely to keep that job and theoretically speaking, if the criminal has a job they will be less likely to feel societal strain (Florida Stat e University, n. d. ). It is important to learn criminological theories in order to enhance insight into the criminal motive.However, it is most important to understand how much these theories relate to the criminal system and policies which are implemented to entertain the individual from the draw of criminality. As an aspirin professional in this field, the study of criminological theory is both necessary and ongoing. References Florida State University. (n. d. ). Robert Agnews General essay Theory. Retrieved from Florida State University http//www. criminology. fsu. edu/crimtheory/agnew. htm Funk, T. M. , & Polsby, D. D. (1998).The Problem of Lemons and Why We Must Retain Juvenile detestation Records. Cato Journal Vol 18. No. 1, 75-83. Goode, E. (2012). Drugs in American Society 8th Edition. unused York McGraw-Hill. Hason, D. J. (2007). Drug profane Resistance Education The Effectiveness of DARE. Retrieved from Alcohol Abuse Prevention http//www. alcoholfacts. org/DARE. html Southerland, D. W. (2012). Rehabilitative Methods and the Affect on Juvenile Delinquents. Retrieved from University of free state http//drum. lib. umd. edu/bitstream/1903/10097/1/Darbouze,%20Kelie. pdf