Criminology And Penology Notes ~repack~ 🆕 Direct
CRIMINOLOGY AND PENOLOGY: DETAILED NOTES PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF CRIMINOLOGY 1. Definition and Scope Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behavior, and corrections. It is an interdisciplinary field that draws on sociology, psychology, law, and anthropology.
Etymology: Derived from the Latin crimen (accusation) and Greek logia (study). The "Three Pillars" of Criminology:
Sociology of Law: Examines how laws are created and enforced. Criminal Etiology: The scientific investigation of the causes of crime. Penology: The study of punishment and correction of criminals.
2. The Nature of Crime To understand criminology, one must define what constitutes a crime. criminology and penology notes
Legal Definition: An act or omission prohibited by law, punishable by the state. The Formula of Crime: Crime = Actus Reus (Guilty Act) + Mens Rea (Guilty Mind). Types of Crime:
Felonies: Serious crimes (e.g., murder, rape) usually punishable by death or imprisonment >1 year. Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses (e.g., petty theft) punishable by fines or jail <1 year. White-Collar Crime: Financial, non-violent crimes committed by business or government professionals (Sutherland’s theory). Cybercrime: Crimes involving computers and networks.
PART II: SCHOOLS OF CRIMINOLOGICAL THOUGHT The evolution of criminology can be categorized into distinct "schools" of thought, representing shifts in how society views the criminal. 1. The Classical School (18th Century) CRIMINOLOGY AND PENOLOGY: DETAILED NOTES PART I: FOUNDATIONS
Key Thinkers: Cesare Beccaria ( On Crimes and Punishments ), Jeremy Bentham. Core Philosophy: Humans are rational beings with Free Will . Crime is a rational choice made after weighing the pleasure (benefit) against the pain (punishment). View on Punishment:
Punishment should be swift, certain, and proportionate to the crime ("Let the punishment fit the crime"). Focus is on the act , not the actor. Deterrence is the primary goal.
Legacy: Basis for modern legal rights, the presumption of innocence, and the abolition of torture. Etymology: Derived from the Latin crimen (accusation) and
2. The Positivist School (19th Century)
Key Thinkers: Cesare Lombroso, Enrico Ferri, Raffaele Garofalo. Core Philosophy: Rejects absolute free will. Criminal behavior is determined by internal and external factors (Determinism). Uses the Scientific Method to study crime. Sub-types:
