Every community aspires to have social control. In our societies, it aids in achieving societal order. There is a traditional theory that seeks to instill both positive thinkers and societal order. Although the two ideas are somewhat dissimilar, they both aim to bring about social order as their end goal. The society's members must coexist peacefully. How will the systems go after the wrongdoers is the big issue. Are the methods used to catch the wrongdoers such that it causes pain to them and their loved ones? These are the two questions that are to be explained in the course of this writing.
According to the classical theory of control of crimes, the crime doers do a crime so as to get the short term benefits. They are not mindful of the long term impacts that are brought about by the crime. In some instances, a crime done could have an influence on happening of another crime. An example of this is whereby, an individual under the influence of drugs causes’ accident harming people. Use of drugs is by itself a crime. Causing of an accident is another crime. In the process of taking drugs, the individual had a strong desire to get the short term pleasure that comes with drugs. He or she did not foresee the danger posed to the society by driving under the influence. The crime in this case should be punished in a way that the pain and suffering is inflicted to the criminal.
Classical theory advocates for the punishment that is equivalent to the crimes that are committed. The aim of the theory is to make sure that there is fear that is inflicted to the individuals with the potential of committing crimes. Inflicting pain to the criminals will also make those wrongs have been committed feel avenged for. In this case, there is a likelihood of a feeling of relief. The theory draws its basis far away from the biblical teachings for the Mosaic Law. This is the law that advocated for an eye for an eye. This meant that for any wrong done by an individual, some sort of suffering is to be caused. Unless suffering is inflicted, there will be rise in the number of criminals. This is to the extent that some would become career criminals.
The second theory is the theory for the positive thinkers. This theory has emerged over a period of time and has been used as a society control tool. It was developed on emergence of human rights groups that advocated for the human dignity when treating the criminals. The gravity of the crimes that they have committed notwithstanding. According to the theory, everyone can change. The theory looks at ways in which a criminal can be reformed. Having committed crime does not mean that someone cannot change and be helpful in the society. This is in the case of murderers who according to classical theory could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
According to Hirschi, most individuals tend to commit crimes out of stress that is brought about by low self esteem. These individuals look down upon themselves. This group of people would like to make a statement so that their presence is recognized. One of the ways of making the statements is by committing atrocities. Low self esteem is not in any way biological. It is a feeling of an individual who might be undergoing suffering or humiliation. It is important for every individual to look up on themselves with high regard to avoid causing crimes on the basis of being discriminated or low self esteem.
Gotterdson described the emergence of new major crimes on release of criminals to decrease. This is after taking the criminals through the necessary rehabilitation measures. Once rehabilitation is addressed, there is likelihood of stabilizing the mind of an individual. Some individuals commit crimes as a result of mental instability. It is necessary to conduct the necessary therapy to this group of people to help them live together with members of the society.
It is not all members of the society that commit crime. This is because they have self control. An individual may be aggrieved by the other one but fails to take revenge against the individual. The main reason is because; doing someone wrong simply because he or she has done you wrong does not make the action done right. If everyone decided to do wrong for those who offend them, there is a high likelihood of social disorder in the society. To bring about social order, there must be peaceful coexistence among the members of the society.
Low self control is caused by lack of powerful forces than inhibit occurrence of a crime. If one experienced problems of self control right from childhood, there is a likelihood of having the control as an adult. Occurrence of crimes is dictated by the extent to which one can restrain him or herself from committing the crime. The justice systems for the various crimes should be standardized. The systems for the children as well as the adults should also be separated. The adults should undergo a more comprehensive exercise since they could be hardened. The children should be taken them through what prevents them from being radicalized.
It is necessary for the police department to keep comprehensive records for all the criminals. The records help in knowing the type of rehabilitation to take them through. The career criminals have a more rigorous exercise. The first timers are taken through simpler exercise. The main aim is to prevent them from further hardening criminally. Society is the basic form where humanity thrives. Order must be established to make coexistence peaceful. There must be a feeling of equality in the society. These should be instilled to the members of the society right from the time they are born. Doing this will inculcate human values and occurrence of crime in future will be restricted.
Conclusion
It is important to handle criminals in a dignified manner. Appropriate mechanisms should be put in place to pursue the criminals. They should be able to raise human dignity and should not be in any way meant to humiliate anyone. Every member of the society is important and can contribute positively to the growth of the society. Letting anyone remain behind bars will deter the society from positive benefits that could have been brought by him or her. The criminals should be taught the culture of self control. It is the main act that can reduce the likelihood of occurrence of crimes. In the quest to offer the most just treatment for the criminals, the theory on positivity should be administered. No matter how bad past one had, there is still a likelihood of reforming. Change can happen any time no matter the age. It is fair not to give up on anyone. It is necessary to give them a chance always to change.
References
Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford University Press.
