The Swedish Criminal Justice System is one by comparison to other countries, a well oiled machine. Before recognizing the aspects of the criminal justice system of Sweden, there is some history that has to be brought into the light. Sweden and Finland are very similar in comparison, whether that is the close geographical position of both countries or the similarities of cultures or maybe due to the fact that they are both apart of the Nordic Welfare State. Sweden and Finland both have the world’s oldest homicide statistics, which started in the mid-1700’s. Sweden, like many other countries has been through multiple political-social changes and developments throughout the last few centuries. They did not participate in either of the World Wars, …show more content…
“In the mid-1850’s, crime and punishment were regulated by “Criminal Code of 1734”, which was based on shaming, fines, corporal punishment, and even the death penalty,” (Von Hofer p.171). In 1855, the Swedish Government abolished the act of corporal punishment. The Laws of Sweden have changed over the years, through reforms, which created the establishment of: “The New Criminal Code of 1865”, which had two main sanctions, 1) fines and 2) imprisonment (hard labor & simple prison). This new code created the aspect of suspended sentences for well-behaved inmates, as well as introduced parole in 1946. Another reform which brought changes to the criminal justice system of Sweden was the creation of the Centralized Police Force in 1965 as well as a new and improved New Criminal Code of 1965. The new criminal code was established to cover and summarize all of the reforms made from the late-1920’s to the mid-1960’s. (Van Hofer p. …show more content…
Rather than capital punishment, “Swedish prison systems gradually gained a reputation as a relatively open system with liberal policies for visitors & furloughs,” (von Hofer p. 171), “the breakthrough of imprisonment in Sweden occurred in the first half of the nineteenth century, during the period from 1810-1840 the number of prisoners quadrupled,”(Nilsson, R. (2003). The point Sweden was trying to make in the early days of the prison system was that social control is a necessity for the overall safety of society. The responsibility of Sweden’s prisons relies on the National Prison Board, which has made reforms and adjustments to the daily operations of prisons since they became centralized. Swedish prisons changed dramatically during the nineteenth century and, “the new disciplinary techniques had become formalized in a minutely worked-out system of rules, comprising every part and every phase of the activities inside the prisons. The nineteenth century prison broke the connection between the criminal and society,” (Nilsson, R.
WARD, K., LONGAKER, A. J., WILLIAMS, J., NAYLOR, A., ROSE, C. A. & SIMPSON, C. G. 2013. Incarceration Within American and Nordic Prisons: Comparison of National and International Policies. ENGAGE-The International Journal of Research and Practice in Student Engagement, 1, 36-47.
Every civilization in history has had rules, and citizens who break them. To this day governments struggle to figure out the best way to deal with their criminals in ways that help both society and those that commit the crimes. Imprisonment has historically been the popular solution. However, there are many instances in which people are sent to prison that would be better served for community service, rehab, or some other form of punishment. Prison affects more than just the prisoner; the families, friends, employers, and communities of the incarcerated also pay a price. Prison as a punishment has its pros and cons; although it may be necessary for some, it can be harmful for those who would be better suited for alternative means of punishment.
After examining the websites for the New York State Department of Corrections (NYSDOC), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and Kriminalomsorgen (Norwegian Correctional Services), we are given a comprehensive overview of the many similarities that each organization shares. For instance, despite the “tough on crime” approach, rehabilitation remains an integral component for all three organizations. It is important to note that although Norway places a greater emphasis on rehabilitation, each department shares similar visions, goals, and values. However, each organization also possesses a variety of opposing punishment guidelines and security procedures. An example of one of these well-known differences in sentencing is the fact that Texas still imposes capital punishment. Of course, New York does not support the death penalty, and Norway’s maximum sentence is far more merciful than either Texas or New York. As we continue, we will further examine the mutual aspects that each department has in common, the ...
As well as this , the author illustrates how imprisonment has become society’s general form of punishment and has now become outdated. Jacoby proposes that in order to cut costs and prevent future crime within first time offenders the turn to flogging must be taken. Jacoby’s logic to his argument is that since crime rates are rising, keeping prisoners locked up is expensive, and “the penal system is choked to bursting” (Jacoby 1), prisons should be done away with and flogging should take the reins as the new form of corporal punishment. Bearing in mind the above, Jacoby’s argument on bringing back flogging is unconvincing for the reason that his assumptions are incoherent and flogging itself is inhumane and could prove to be ineffective.
During the early half of the 19th century, there were two new models of prisons being built in the United States. Along with the new styles of prisons being constructed, two new styles of correctional systems were developed, the Pennsylvania system, and the Auburn, New York system (Mays & Winfree, 2009). Although the designs of the actual prisons were dramatically different, both systems shared similar ideals, with regards to how inmates should spend their days. Ultimately, the Auburn system prevailed as the more popular system of corrections in the United States, with some of the system’s correctional philosophies being used well into the 20th century (Mays & Winfree, 2009). Before discussing the actual philosophies, which were used to manage the inmates in each system, we should first look at the difference in the design of the prisons used in each system.
For decades, prison has been signified as an unspeakably horrifying place for those who have done harm to our society. Nevertheless, in today 's society, shows like Wentworth, orange is the new black and prison break illustrate prison in an entertaining way. A way that is so detached from reality. However, in the article "Norway 's Ideal Prison," by Piers Hernu, he clearly reveals and gives us a vivid picture of what prison life is like in Bastoy, the home of Norway only prison. On the other hand, "The Prisoners Dilemma," by Stephan Chapman argues how in Islamic countries criminals are being cruelly handled and how flawed the American penal system is and needs to be adjusted. Even though there are many similarities in both articles on what
For centuries, prisons have been attempting to reinforce good behavior through various methods of punishment, some more severe than others. There are several types of punishments which include “corporal punishment, public humiliation, penal bondage, and banishment for more severe offenses, as well as capital punishment”(Linklater, V). Punishments in which are more severe pose the question “Has it gone too far?” and is stripping away the rights and humanity of a criminal justified with the response it is for the protection of the people? Is justice really served? Although prison systems are intense and the experience is one of a kind for sure, it does little to help them as statistics show “two-in-five inmates nationwide return to jail within three years of release”(Ascharya, K).
In Western cultures imprisonment is the universal method of punishing criminals (Chapman 571). According to criminologists locking up criminals may not even be an effective form of punishment. First, the prison sentences do not serve as an example to deter future criminals, which is indicated, in the increased rates of criminal behavior over the years. Secondly, prisons may protect the average citizen from crimes but the violence is then diverted to prison workers and other inmates. Finally, inmates are locked together which impedes their rehabilitation and exposes them too more criminal
This form of justice emphasizes the philosophy that everyone deserves a second chance. The largely successful Norwegian prison system emphasizes the need to not treat criminals cruelly. Oftentimes, those who commit crimes have been bred in environments that have led them to where they are; sometimes they’ve been subject to childhood abuse. In cases like the Jassi Sidhu case, it would seem rehabilitation is a far off concept. The individuals that conspired to murder Jassi Sidhu have been bred to think a certain way their entire lives and changing that would not be an easy task. However if we punish individuals without attempting to help them better themselves, we as a society have reached a dead end, as Judge John Reilly said,” If we only punish wrongdoing with no attempt to fix the underlying causes, we only damage the web of our society.”
The focus of this paper is to inform if the rates of violence are higher in male or in female prisons and why that is the case. Various key factors have been addressed in relation to this topic. These four factors would not only help in answering the research questions, but open opportunities for similar research to be conducted. This research paper will explore if violence is higher in male or female prisons and why is it high.
The criminal justice system is composed of three parts – Police, Courts and Corrections – and all three work together to protect an individual’s rights and the rights of society to live without fear of being a victim of crime. According to merriam-webster.com, crime is defined as “an act that is forbidden or omission of a duty that is commanded by public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law.” When all the three parts work together, it makes the criminal justice system function like a well tuned machine.
...ns constitute a structural network of supervision, in which individuals may not only be subjected to power, but also play a role in employing and exercising power. Moreover, individuals internalize such and act accordingly. As such, there has been a greater possibility for intervention in individuals’ lives, not only in terms of illegal actions but also crimes against abnormalities. The aim of contemporary discipline is the transformation of individuals into productive forces of society. The basic functioning of society rests on such. Ultimately, the nineteenth century penal regime- not limited to the judicial system- has been largely successful in exerting disciplinary power. Not only has disciplinary power dispersed outside the walls of prison, but moreover, members of society have remained unaware of its presence, as they conform to and participate in it.
The United States prison system is devoted to justice by hammering out retribution to those who violate the rules of the law. Though this is indeed the just and correct thing to do, crime should be and is followed by punishment, but what then? After serving their time, inmates are returned to the streets knowing only the torment of life. It seems the Scandinavian prison system has tried to change that, and has succeeded with the rehabilitation of inmates by putting rehabilitation over retribution, in order to directly address recidivism. By supporting the philosophy of ‘gentle justice’, the United States may not be able to remove crime entirely but it can definitely cut down on recidivism, and inmates who return to a life of crime. This investigation of the facets of prison life in the United States and Scandinavia is to show how the United States can give social stability by cutting down on crime rates, save money in the long run, and morally and ethically make a difference in the lives of troubled men and...
The origin of the word prison comes from the Latin word to seize. It is fair to say that the traditionally use of prison correspond well with the origin of the word; as traditionally prison was a place for holding people whilst they were awaiting trail. Now, centuries on and prisons today is used as a very popular, and severe form of punishment offered to those that have been convicted. With the exception however, of the death penalty and corporal punishment that still takes place in some countries. Being that Prison is a very popular form of punishment used in today's society to tackle crime and punish offenders, this essay will then be examining whether prison works, by drawing on relevant sociological factors. Furthermore, it will be looking at whether punishment could be re-imagined, and if so, what would it entail?
Punishing the unlawful, undesirable and deviant members of society is an aspect of criminal justice that has experienced a variety of transformations throughout history. Although the concept of retribution has remained a constant (the idea that the law breaker must somehow pay his/her debt to society), the methods used to enforce and achieve that retribution has changed a great deal. The growth and development of society along with an underlying, perpetual fear of crime are heavily linked to the use of vastly different forms of punishment that have ranged from public executions, forced labor, penal welfarism and popular punitivism over the course of only a few hundred years.