W4A

docx

School

Ashford University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

CRJ512

Subject

Sociology

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ecarr518

Controlling Violent Crime Erin Carr CRJ 512 Criminological Theory Instructor: Fred Newell May 3, 2022

Introduction There are several different factors into why homicides occur. Location, psychology, race, age, gender, economic status, etc. are all different variables that come into play. Psychology stands out to most. This is the way we operate, the way we think, our drive, what our purpose might be behind our actions. Why do Homicides Occur? A common theory explaining why homicide occurs is personal traits. People more times than not have a gut feeling that overrides every single action they partake in. Criminology: The Core stated that “Research has shown that a significant number of people involved in violent episodes may be suffering from mental abnormalities” (Siegel, 2015, chap. 10, p. 256, para. 3). Traits such as impulsive lying, paranoia and aggression are all signs of mental impairments. People passing by might not think twice about it. The people around the mentally hurting individuals might not even be aware either. Communities lacking funding and support do not offer the proper mental health care, or treatment that individuals suffering, need. Higher populated cities might have poorer areas and a higher homeless statistic than a small town in Nebraska. Location is a prime risk to consider when reviewing homicide and crime rates. In the United States 2021 was a traumatizing year. From Covid-19 shutting everyone down, well as the Black Lives Matter Movement due to an increased scope on police force, people acted out. Crime rates skyrocketed and cities that were somewhat safe, turned for the worse. Cities like Chicago, IL have always been high risk. After a series of events, it just kept spiraling down. Murder Capital USA Ganglands of Chicago examined how children and adults growing up in the city are accustomed to violence. The video noted that more people knew how to get ahold of a gun, than a book (Danzo1212, 2013). Unfortunately, kids

are growing up around the violence and they consider that being normal. They fall asleep to screeching breaks, drive by shootings and the possibility of their things getting stolen every night. There is a huge culture shock when they can move or taken into state custody. Personality traits stem right from ineffective families. Broken families cause more stress and tension. Abuse whether it is mental, emotional, or physical, produces poor development for adults, and especially children. The textbook states "Abused kids suffer from long-term mental, cognitive, and social dysfunctions. They are more likely to physically abuse a sibling and later to engage in spouse abuse and other forms of criminal violence” (Siegel, 2015, chap. 10, p. 257, para. 1). It is a vicious circle, and without the proper help, individuals cannot escape it. Control and Decrease Homicides in the United States Statistics are unfortunately growing. Data shows that in 2020 the Centers of Disease Control Prevention (CDC) reported “24,576 homicides in a population of 329,484,123” that is “7.5 people killed out of 100,000” (CDC. 2020). These reports are up compared to 2019. The CDC reported in October of 2021 that “the United States increased 30 percent from 2019 to 2020, the highest ever recorded in modern history” (CDC, 2021). The statistic in the 80’s was 10 homicides per 100,000 people. There is clearly a dilemma arising and there are ways to control it from getting out of hand. One of the many ways that the United States can control homicides is to develop and implement Youth Court programs. Programs like this allows children of all ages, in troubled neighborhoods to seek out opportunities that are available to them. Most kids do not know that there are helpful tools for the future at their fingertips. Youth court programs “operate using one of four main case- processing models: adult judge, youth judge, tribunal, or peer jury (for detailed descriptions of these models)” (NGC, 2021). Programs like this allow peers of individuals in their own community to see what it is like to

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

be in the court process. The programs are designed to help teens and youth deter crime and turn their lives around. Giving them the proper resources and contacts, they need to succeed. Preforming and deploying these Youth Court programs nationwide could truly affect the rates of homicides for the better. Youth Courts seem to be cost effective. The Center for Court Innovation published their yearly report and it showed great progress. Their report said, “To advance one of our top priorities—reducing the use of prison and jail—we provided the staffing and data for the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, which published the detailed plan to close the jails on Rikers Island by 2027” (Bryan, 2021). As the report goes on, it shows how the Youth Court programs in New York City has opened new offices and access to people who were not able to access the tools and service before (CCI, 2021). Doing this will allow more young adults and children to change their lives. Starting at such a young age can potentially deter them from committing serious crimes like homicide. Cause of Murders Regardless of effectiveness, the crime rate of zero is inevitable. Murders are going to continue due to location, population, personal traits, and mental status. Some things just do not go away. There are many reasons on why murders keep occurring. One of the main reasons is biological traits like mentioned slightly before. Many actions and behaviors are just human nature. People might not even realize there is something different about them. Criminology: The Core explains that “"Some trait theorists believe that biochemical conditions, including both those that are genetically predetermined and those that are acquired through diet and environment, influence antisocial behavior" (Siegel, 2015, chap. 5, p. 111, para.2). Hormones, and hypoglycemia affect the brain and one’s actions. The conditions are so underlying but may increase the possibility of one to commit a crime, especially in young males with an abundance of testosterone.

Conclusion In the end, crime is never going to be at zero percent. People have biological traits that may influence crime, as well as the environment they live in, and the people they are raised by (or around). There are ways to decrease the homicide and murder levels, but people must be accepting of the programs available to them. Talking about the opportunities and getting involved the right way can truly turn the world around.

References Bryan, C. (2021). 2021 Annual Report: A Report of Challenges and Progress. Center for Court Innovation. Retrieved from, https://www.courtinnovation.org/annual-report/2021 CCI, (2021). Annual Report: A Report of Challenges and Progress. Center for Court Innovation. Retrieved from, https://www.courtinnovation.org/annual-report/2021 CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Office of Communication. (2021). New CDC/NCHS Data Confirm Largest One-Year Increase in U.S. Homicide Rate in 2020. Retrieved from, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/202110.htm Center of Disease Control Prevention (CDC). (2020). Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020 Results: Deaths Occurring through 2020. Retrieved from, https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/datarequest/D76;jseessionid=93049324AB50928F16355D3F 576 Danzo1212. (2013, December 22). Murder capital USA ganglands of Chicago (Links to an external site.) . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F1-5prOJDs National Gang Center. (2021). Youth Court. Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved from, https://nationalgangcenter.ojp.gov/spt/Programs/132 Schmalleger, F. J. (2012). Criminology today: An integrative introduction (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Siegel, L. J. (2015). Criminology: The core (5th ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com/

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Related Documents

Stereotypes & Perception Assignment .pdf

IMG_4308.png

IMG_4307.png

Social Studies Learning Segment Task 1.docx

Social Bonding Theory.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Pearson College Div

Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780393639407

Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...

Sociology

ISBN:9781305503076

Author:Earl R. Babbie

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...

Sociology

ISBN:9780134477596

Author:Saferstein, Richard

Publisher:PEARSON

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134205571

Author:James M. Henslin

Publisher:PEARSON

Society: The Basics (14th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134206325

Author:John J. Macionis

Publisher:PEARSON

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON