The Role of Criminal Justice System in External Social Control
The criminal justice system plays a pivotal role in maintaining social order through various mechanisms of external control. This system, comprising law enforcement, courts, and correctional facilities, acts as a formal means of enforcing societal norms and laws.
Highlight: The criminal justice system is a key component in external forms of social control criminology, utilizing both positive and negative sanctions to shape behavior and maintain social order.
- Law Enforcement (Police):
- Serves as the front line of social control
- Uses discretion in applying sanctions, from warnings to arrests
- Presence alone acts as a deterrent to criminal behavior
Example: Police may give out warnings or fines for minor offenses, demonstrating how external forms of social control in criminology can be applied with varying degrees of severity.
- Courts:
- Interpret and apply the law, determining guilt and appropriate punishments
- Use sentencing as a form of both deterrence and rehabilitation
- Provide a formal setting for the application of social control
Quote: "If a defendant pleads guilty, they can be given a lighter sentence. If someone shows remorse and accepts responsibility for their actions, a judge may be more lenient."
- Correctional Facilities:
- Implement punitive measures while also focusing on rehabilitation
- Use token economies and privilege systems to encourage good behavior
- Provide a clear example of how society removes freedoms as a form of control
Vocabulary: A token economy is a system of behavior modification based on the systematic reinforcement of target behavior, often used in correctional settings.
The criminal justice system's role in external social control extends beyond mere punishment. It aims to deter future criminal behavior, rehabilitate offenders, and reinforce societal norms. By doing so, it contributes significantly to maintaining social order and protecting public safety, demonstrating the complex interplay between formal institutions and societal behavior in the context of external forms of social control in criminology.
