PRISON TERM POLICY RECOMMENDATION

Prison Term Police Recommendation

In May 2014, the Washington State legislature is set to vote on a new bill that will double the sentence of an individual who is found guilty of armed robbery. Party’s that favor this proposal state that by doubling the sentence, this would assist in deterring the criminals to commit armed robbery. Before the house decides on this bill, inquiries and research must be done in order to determine why certain criminals commit armed robbery and if the possibility of a more stringent sentences could possibly influence their behavior.

Three theories have been identified in criminology that helps to explain why criminals commit such violent crimes. The first is when an individual is thought to have been born with the need for violence; this theory is known as the biological theory. Secondly, there is a theory that states there a psychological reason, such as mental illness that gives them the need to be violent; this is known as the psychological theory. Lastly, the theory in which a criminal recognizes that the brutal criminal action is wrong and chooses to commit it in spite of the cost is known as the rational choice theory.

Research must be done initially to understand what armed robbery is and why such individuals commit this crime and to develop a conclusion if it will aid to reduce armed robbery. Robbery is a crime of theft and can be classified as Larceny by force or by threat of force. The elements of the crime of robbery include the use of force or intimidation and all the elements of the crime of larceny. The penalty for robbery is always more severe than for larceny ("Robbery", n.d.). Firearms are viewed as dangerous and as a contributing cause of lethal violence (Zimring, 2004...

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...deterrent for others pursuing the same path. By combining the rehabilitation and more stringent prison terms, the deterrence that could be produced would have a positive effect in reducing armed robbery.

Works Cited

Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/problems/robbery_banks/print/

Responsibility, Rehabilitation, And Restoration: A Catholic Perspective On Crime And Criminal Justice. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/criminal-justice-restorative-justice/crime-and-criminal-justice.cfm

Robbery. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/armed+robbery

Zimring, F. E. (2004). Firearms, Violence, and the Potential Impact of Firearms Control. Retrieved from http://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1780&context=facpubs