NCJ Number
213009
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2006 Pages: 97-118
Date Published
January 2006
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study used a literature review and empirical research to examine the extent and application of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in publicly accessible places in London, England; the implications of the findings for the features of "penal modernism" are discussed.
Abstract
This study involved two surveys on the use of CCTV in a South London borough. More detailed case studies on the use of CCTV were conducted in a public CCTV network (open-street and housing), a railway station, and two malls. When installed and monitored under police auspices, CCTV increases the likelihood that a person will be observed violating a law that brings some type of punitive intervention, i.e., arrest, criminal justice processing, possible conviction, and sentencing to some restriction and/or fine. When installed and monitored by a private organization, CCTV can be used to intervene when people are observed violating the policies of the organization. In the case of malls, this can mean expulsion from the mall for wearing unacceptable clothing or youth congregating in a disorderly manner. CCTV in public and semipublic places generally appeals to the users of such spaces, because it implies that those who might otherwise victimize them will be deterred from doing so out of fear of being observed and subsequently punished. In line with the "old penology," CCTV can expand the ability of police to arrest those observed via CCTV surveillance committing crimes, while providing evidence that increases the chances they will be convicted. On the other hand, it can become a "new penology" when used to intervene, control, and punish behaviors that do not rise to the level of crimes but which are offensive or suspicious to those who administer the CCTV system. 1 table and 49 references