Criminal Justice System
The term for "habitual relapse into crime"
What is "recidivism"?
This western democracy has a MUCH higher rate of murder (lethal violence) than other western democracies
What is the United States?
This is socially constructed (defined and created by society).
What is "crime"/"criminal"?
This represents a threat to our lives, limbs, and properties.
What is "crime"?
The monthly report filed by every police chief in the USA to the FBI
What is the "Uniform Crime Report (UCR)"
The emphasis in our society on gang violence over corporate fraud is an example of what concept from Reiman?
What is the "carnival mirror"?
Who did the "War on Drugs" target?
Poor people and people of color
What are the four sources of crime according to Reiman?
1). Inequality/Poverty, 2). Prisons, 3). Guns, 4). Current Drug Policies
What does Reiman say is the BEST way to reduce crime?
Reducing poverty
Who/what creates the image of crime in our society?
Legislators, police and prosecutors, judges and juries, the media
In 2012, the average taxpayer making $50,000 paid how much per year in subsidies to corporations?
$6,000
Why would eliminating welfare NOT help with decreasing crime?
What does Reiman say are the 4 excuses for our criminal justice failures?
1). We're too soft on crime, 2). Modern life/modernity, 3). Youth, 4). We don't know!
Reducing discretionary power available to police, prosecutors, and judges
What are methods of improving the criminal justice system?
Reiman says that more police and more prisons would do what?
More police and more prisons would be a failure for the criminal justice system.
Why are the wealthy more likely to be weeded out of the *conviction* process of criminal justice system?
They can afford hiring a lawyer instead of relying on a public defender.
What is the issue of "double discrimination" in death penalty sentencing?
The race of the victim and the race of the perpetrator impacts the sentencing. White perpetrators are less likely to get death sentences than Black perpetrators; Cases with White victims are more likely to result in death penalties than cases with Black victims.
This plays a critical role in upholding the criminal justice system making biases in the system invisible and institutions appear to be neutral.
What is "ideology"?
How does Reiman say the United States should reduce crime that (re)produces poverty?
1). provide high quality education, 2). invest in inner cities, 3). provide better access to job training
Based on our US federal budget, Americans are more eager to give to _____ and cut from the ______.
Rich and corporations/poor and needy
White-collar crimes cost the US this much money annually.
$486 billion
A disproportionate number of people in the US are arrested, charged, convicted, and sentenced to longer terms in prison because of this (according to Reiman).
What is "Class bias"?
How do capitalist societies increase the pressure to commit crimes?
1). No guarantee of decent living conditions, 2). encourages greedy behavior, 3). degrades and demeans poor people
What should prisons do for those incarcerated, according to Reiman?
Promote personal responsibility and prepare those incarcerated for post-release life.