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“while we read history we make it”… G.W. Curtis (1842-1892)

“while we read history we make it”… G.W. Curtis (1842-1892). The History and Pioneers of Criminology. Roots of Criminological Theory. Karl Popper: “Theories are the nets cast to catch the world, to rationalize, to explain, and to master it” two schools of criminological thought…

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“while we read history we make it”… G.W. Curtis (1842-1892)

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  1. “while we read history we make it”… G.W. Curtis (1842-1892) The History and Pioneers of Criminology

  2. Roots of Criminological Theory • Karl Popper: “Theories are the nets cast to catch the world, to rationalize, to explain, and to master it” • two schools of criminological thought… • all theories can trace their influence/roots • CLASSICAL vs. POSITIVIST • Roots of Social Reform

  3. Basis of ‘all’ Criminological Theory

  4. Response to harsh retributive punishment (Dark Ages) • Wergild - 1st victim compensation • Ordeals – duals to the death • Oath-helpers: testify your innocence • … punishment harsh, often brutal, and inconsistent

  5. CLASSICAL… period of Enlightment • Cesare Becarria (1734-1794) - Box 4.1 • “On crimes and punishment” in 1764 (age 26) • sought naturalistic explanations

  6. FOUR Grand Principles: • Equality “lei-motiv” • Liberty • … nullum crimen sin lege • … nulla poena sine lege • … “social contract” J.J. Rousseau

  7. Utilitarianism “greatest good” • … certainty, severity, & swiftness • Humanitarianism – death penalty?

  8. Evaluation of the Classical School: • Enduring influence –Canadian social/criminal justice policy • Emerged during time of turmoil • Intuitive based (heuristic)/ unverifiable • ? Role of motivation

  9. Importance of: conflict, law, economy = theory • Work influenced: Voltaire, J. Bentham, J. Howard, E. Kant • Concept of deterrence: (Box 4.3) • … social cost – commitment cost, attachment costs, and stigma

  10. Jeremy Bentham “felicitous calculus” - math and greatest happiness for the … number (Box 4.2) • premise of free-will… • specific: individual • general: future criminality • … evaluations - inconclusive • … ? Commitment/attachment, cost, and stigma

  11. Neo-classical School • Rossi (I), Gerrad, & Joly (Fr)… • flexibility into legal system (discretion) • intro subjective element (soft-determinism) • rational choice theory • French Revolution (1791) and French Penal Code of 1812 • Canadian legal system • ! Singapore - swift & certain (flogging)

  12. ? Role of corporal punishment • von Hirsch “just deserts” model • P. Erhlich & W. Bonger - economic theory • H. Becker - labelling • C. Cornich - rational choice • A.Cohen & M. Felson - RAT!! • Risk of punishment as a deterrent • Neo-classical approach and plea bargain • SUMMARY • Social contract, deterrence, and plea bargain

  13. Scientific School/Positivist • Adolphe Quetelet & Michel Guerry • school of CARTOLOGY • … social statistics • … crime is a product of social conditions (Environment) • CPTED • POSITIVISM… the role of determinism and science • Cesare Lombroso, R. Garafalo, E. Ferri • the “holy three”

  14. Father of Modern Criminology • Atavism • … born criminal vs. occasional criminal, insane, and criminal by passion • … first to write about the female offender • Enduring influence on criminology • … sociobiology (Sarnoff Mednick) • … biopsychology (C.R. Jeffery) • … bio-environmental (Adrian Raine) • … evolutive theory (Lee Ellis) • Concept of parens patriae

  15. Law vs. Science • Classicism = retribution and revenge • Positivism = reform and rehabilitation • … study Figure 4-1 • ? best of both worlds… possible • integration interdisciplinary approach

  16. CRIMINOLOGY AT WORK • Pioneers in criminal justice • PRISON REFORM: • Alexander Maconochie (1787-1860) • … Australia and penal reforms (rights) • … prisoners earn all they receive • … prison industries (e.g., chain gangs, building owe institutions, farming, etc…) • !not punish but serve out their punishment

  17. John Howard (1726-1790) – J.H. Society • … classification & vocational training • … humane treatment & constructive work

  18. LAW ENFORCEMENT: • Sir Robert Peel - prime minister • formalized policing • Uniforms and discipline • community policing… foundation today • Key principles of conduct • Use minimal force, impartial service of law, efficiency is an absence of crime!

  19. LEGAL REFORM: • Charles Doe - criminal responsibility • Pedro Montereo - train lawyers & judges in social sciences • Issac Ray • … mitigating circumstances • … expert testimony (insanity, forensics, DNA) • … one of the founders of APA

  20. Criminalistics… • Alphonse Bertillon – anthropometry • Hans Gross – Austrian School and victimology • Modus operandi Marc Ansel – social defence … UN’s stand in 1948 …protection over punishment … respect breeds responsibility (Box 4.17)

  21. Prevention as a School of Thought: • Oscar Newman – modify the environment • C.R. Jeffery – interaction of biology, behaviour, and environment • proactive vs. reactive process • … Police - ‘geoprofiling’, target hardening • … address the OPPORTUNITY (real or perceived) to prevent • … “fixing broken windows”

  22. “Canadian” Pioneers (Appendix 4)

  23. Making their mark… • Denise Szabo (1929-…) • “father of Canadian criminology” • psychological and historical context • criminology and criminal policy are inseparable

  24. Ezzat Fattah (1929-…) • lawyer and Austrian School (victimology) • Against the death penalty • Amnesty International • restorative justice • Gwynne Nettler (1913-…) - U of A • bridge psychology and sociology • “Explaining crime” ‘74! • Always prepared to challenge existing ideas of justice and explanations

  25. Tadeusz Grygier (1915-…) – Ottawa • Influenced by life experience – Gulag • Social protection code – mercy, fairness, & understanding • Champion of sentencing reform

  26. James Hackler (1930-…) • “doing less is probably better than doing more!” • orientation ‘left-realism’ • comparative work in youth justice • strong concern for humanity • Andre Normandeau (1942-…) • Empirical criminology • Sellin’s index of crime • Blends European and N.A. ideas

  27. Paul and Pat Brantinghams • … environmental criminology • new emerging pioneers such as: • … R. Menzies, A. Doob, M. LeBlanc, R. Trembley...

  28. SUMMARY • History of criminology is diverse and complex • Two major schools of thought • Most theories trace their roots to either Classical or Positivist ideas • Disciplines calls for an integrated and interdisciplinary approach • Canadian ‘pioneers’ making their mark

  29. Had enough for this week?

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