Conclusion: Religious Diversity and Criminal Justice Policy (From Islam, Crime and Criminal Justice, P 133-140, 2002, Basia Spalek, ed. -- See NCJ-201704)

• NCJ Number: 201711
• Author(s): Basia Spalek
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter is a summary of the issues that were dealt with in the earlier chapters of this book.

Abstract

The basic rationale for this book has been to introduce greater diversity and specificity into criminological accounts of a diverse range of issues, including victimization, fear of crime, causes of crime, and penal policy. The authors observe that new knowledge can be obtained from focusing on the often-marginalized issue of religion and placing it at the center of criminological analysis. The book focuses on Islam, mainly because it is practiced by a significant number of people in Britain and it is very much a central part of their everyday lives. This chapter provides a brief summary of the issues discussed in the earlier chapters. The research studies presented in the book were based around the participants’ own views of themselves rather than the researchers imposing categories and definitions upon them. The participants, though of different nationalities, were viewed predominantly as Muslims, and questions were asked about their experiences of crime as Muslims. The research also dealt with the issue of victimization and religion; the idea that for people who are religious, their faith can be a source of support as well as a focus of crime, especially for Muslims. In addition, the research revealed a lack of sensitivity shown to religious issues among many victim initiatives found throughout the criminal justice system. Another issue from the book found that increased sensitivity to religion might also lead to developing a greater understanding of why particular individuals from particular communities engage in criminal and anti-social behavior. This suggests that it is important to explore the socioeconomic, cultural, and religious dimensions of offending behavior. This book has demonstrated that for individuals whose faith constitutes a fundamental part of their lives, religious beliefs and practices cannot be separated out from experiences of crime and the criminal justice system. It is important for policymakers and state agencies to take the issue of religious diversity more seriously, so as to develop more effective policies on crime and victimization. 1 note and 3 references