NCJ Number
197141
Date Published
2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the book “Ideology and Crime,” which gives an overview of criminology.
Abstract
In 1965, criminology was not a respected discipline. In this book, criminology is described as a humanistic science and crucial to modern civilization. Leon Radzinowicz, is responsible for founding the Cambridge Institute of Criminology and the criminological establishment that emerged in Britain 40 years ago. “Ideology and Crime” is a book that outlines the intellectual and political framework that shaped penal policy and practice from the 18th century to present day. The book credits the positivist school with initiating the scientific study of crime and criminals, and establishing the importance of individualized treatment and reform. It also notes the inconsistencies in the positivist theses. The framework that emerged in the 18th century was essentially a political one. The 19th century produced a scientific or pseudo-scientific one. The 20th century is an action framework; a problem-solving orientation geared to the practical needs of governmental institutions. The modern mentality is called The Pragmatic Position by Radzinowicz and is a method of treating problems as they arise. Criminology in the 20th century relies upon empirical evidence, institutional needs, and piecemeal solutions. There are links between the progressive penal measures of the postwar period and the welfare state values that underpinned them. The erosion of the socio-liberal position and the historical shift to a more conservative, more authoritarian framework in criminal policy occurred during the 1980's. Since then, criminal justice institutions have altered their emphasis and the field of crime control has expanded in new directions as state agencies and society have adapted to the growth of crime and insecurity. Change has been a matter of assimilating new elements in the system, such as the victim, crime prevention, and restorative justice. Balances and relations between punishment and welfare and the rights of offenders and the protection of the public have been altered. The new culture of crime control has a re-coded penal-welfarism, a criminology of control, and an economic style of reasoning. 16 notes, 30 references