Many biological theories of crime have been developed to explain the analysis of crime and criminality. Scientific studies of research have formed theories as to what makes a criminal a criminal and what social factors can contribute to criminality. As a result, criminology scientists Cesare Lombroso, William Sheldon, and Sandberg believe that the presence of certain physical traits made it more likely that an individual would become a criminal. The three scientist each share significant theories of criminal characteristics, criminal personality and criminal behavioral tendencies. Criminologist Cesare Lombroso studied scientifically the “born criminal” Atavism theory, which he believed modern criminals share physical characteristics with primitive humans, Sheldon studied the somatotype theory, the three body types relating to an individual personality and Franz Gall discovered and studied the phrenology theory, “bumps on the head” could indicate certain criminal tendencies. Each theorist philosophy of criminality conveys a scientific hypothesis as to what biosocial elements of crime establishes an individual as a criminal.
In United States approximately 14-16 percent of 7.3 million people that are in prison suffered from mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar , and major depression. Psychologists believed that mental illness and criminal activity are linked together. It has been proven that treatment plans assist with reduce the recidivism rate in criminal offenders with mental illness . This case study has two hypothesis which are how often are criminal offenders committed crimes due mental issues and does linked between criminal offenders and mental illness is time a key factor.
This can be applied to the behaviors of criminals. According to Fishbein (1990, pg.37), “behavior [is] primarily attributed to inherited predispositions and genetic influences.” Nurture is the environmental influence that shape human behavior (Fishbein, 1990, pg.37). Human genetics and environmental factors contribute to the uniqueness to a person’s behavior. However, there are underlying qualities in a criminal’s historical background. Aspects of the nature and nurturing of a criminal behavior includes some problems with earlier biological explanations and some recent biological explanations which have overcome the weaknesses of
In criminology, is very important to study why people commit crime when deciding how crime should be handled and prevented. This type of study is known as criminal profiling. Many theories have developed over the years, and they continue to be researched, alone and in combination, as criminologists seek the best solutions in reducing specific types and levels of crime. While all crime theories are designed to try to explain and understand criminal activity and the people that commit them, it is an ongoing science. No one theory can define all crime. However, it can be used usefully to help us understand crime a little better and help criminologists find new ways to deal with and eliminate criminal behavior. I am going to discuss one
of crimes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and outline the differences among jails
Mental illness is a problem that occurs in all nations around the world. This is even more true for the populations in correctional facilities for both men and women. The overwhelming number of persons in correctional facilities with health issues is caused by: the rational that people with mental health disorders are a threat to society; narrow mindedness and low tolerance for people who are different from us; no resources to acquire the proper care needed. These mental health problems may have occurred prior to incarceration, and may nurtured further by the stressful environment of prisons, or they may have also been caused by being incarcerated in the first place in addition to other prior issues. Correctional facilities is not the place for the mentally ill, instead they should be treated for there illnesses. The purpose of this paper is to depict both the problem of inmates with mental health disorders in correctional facilities and the challenges faced by correctional staff. Secondly, denote possible interventions (treatment) for inmates with mental health issues. Next, support this information with studies about mental health in correctional facilities. Lastly, offer reasons it is important to combat the problem of mental illness in correctional facilities in order to better serve their well being needs.
This is a 36 question form. The TCU CTS was designed by researchers at from the Texas Christian University (TCU) Institute of Behavioral Research in collaboration with the federal Bureau of Prisons. This scale was primarily produced to focus on cognitive based curriculums that were being done in residential drug abuse programs, but its use has expanded throughout correctional treatment settings. This assessment is designed to measure individual's current criminal thinking, it does not take history into account and takes individuals approximately 5-10 minutes to complete (Knight, et.al., 2006). In a study by Knight, et.al. (2006), researchers conducted a study of 3,266 offenders throughout 26 different corrections programs in the United States, they found that the TCU CTS assessment had good internal reliability and test-retest reliability. This assessment also offers “acceptable goodness of fit coefficients.” The TCU CTS provides a reliable and time-efficient way of assessing criminal thinking (Knight, et.al.,
Biological Theories are vastly growing with fascinating research. The main stump is concretely linking it to criminal behavior, because some theories are more relatable than others. Theories involving temperament and hormones give real life biological explanations, while others like extrovert and introvert behaviors, and neuroticism explain a weaker link to crime. However, all theories are valuable in exploring the root of crime.
In this journal talks about the population of mentally ill population in our correctional environment. Then he states what is the most common mental illness. Coupled with what is the profile of mentally ill prisoners. Finally, he talks about the mentally ill treatment
This paper will focus on using prison as a treatment for mentally ill convicts. Additionally this paper will examine how penalty of imprisonment of mental ill people can results in moral dilemmas by violating human rights. The number of incarcerated mentally ill people and the criminalization of mental illness are factors in the growth of the mentally ill population in prison. There are problems and dangerous situations with putting mentally ill people in prisons, and this
In todays society, prisons and jails seemed to have become the new mental health asylums. The number of prisoners with mental health issues in these institutions are staggering and exceed state mental health facilities by the thousands. Treatment of these individuals within the criminal justice system is critical, mainly because most with illnesses are helpless and are mistreated while incarcerated. Also, most remain in jail or prison longer than most because they are likely to break the rules consequently failing to get a lessening sentence for good behavior, which then contributes to overcrowding. Furthermore, when mental illness goes untreated the individual usually worsens, leaving the jail or prison in a degenerating state then what they entered. Ethical concerns neighboring research, testing and treatment on any social population requires serious considerations. Therefore, ethical dilemmas regarding research, testing and treatment of prisoners with mental illness cultivate out of the complexity of the correctional system, because of lack of personal choice and control.
The question, why do people become criminals raise a lot of views when it comes down to personal, social and environmental factors. While many think that people become criminals due to the environment and people they have grown up around, other’s think it is due to mental illness or just out of pure enjoyment. The following report will discuss how a person’s environment can impact them to become vicious killers, particularly discussing the Ivan Milat, a serial killer based in Australia, known for the case of the “Backpacker murders”.
What determines criminal behavior? Are they born to be a natural born killer, is it in their genes, or is it a learned behavior? There are multiple factors resulting in criminal behavior, from genes to environmental factors. Although it is said and believed that criminal behavior is biologically determined there are even more learned or environmental factors that play a role in criminal behavior.
Fear of jails and prisons is instilled in us from a young age. We are supposed to learn the common sense between right and wrong behaviours to avoid living our lives incarcerated. Throughout this paper, I will discuss several aspects of our criminal institutions. With the help of the documentaries Miami Mega Jail and Behind Bars in San Quentin both by Louis Theroux, I will go into details about the remove, punish and rehabilitate method, the details of the inmate society and if the public is safe from these criminals once they are released.
People commit crimes for various reasons. These various reasons got to do with social, economic, and cultural reason. These factors trigger an individual to do criminal activities. Social reasons are peer pressure, and school failure. Economic reasons are poverty. Cultural reasons are hatred. The combination of these factors is behind a person who commits crimes.