The British Penal System

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The British Penal System

For this assignment and to satisfy the criteria required to fulfil

this coursework I intend to investigate how effective is today’s penal

system within the British Society.

The penal system is the set of laws and procedures that follow a

conviction.

Crime or criminal activity can be defined as an act which is

prohibited and is punishable by the law.

There are many types of crime; one type which is significantly

different is ‘white collar crime’. As people of society it is apparent

for any individual to stereotype a criminal as being a notorious

looking person who loiters the streets looking for trouble however

white collar crime to a large extent is somewhat different.

White-collar crime occurs by a certain group of society, the upper

social class. These people are appointed in highly respected jobs or

fields. These people commit crimes such as corruption, fraud

marketing, selling outdated ineffective products and unfaithful

advertising. These people do this in order to enhance their personal

wealth by income tax evasion or the agreement of bribes.

This category of criminal activity is classed as very serious but the

convicts tend to not go under a great deal of punishment because of

who they are i.e. highly respected politicians and company directors.

Also because of corrupt governments who would accept a certain amount

of money to hide the matter or enforce an inconsequential punishment.

In order for governments to place down certain punitive measures there

must be an objective to do this. Below is the five aims in which,

society aims to achieve by punishing its criminals.

1. The theory of PROTECTION-society is protected from anti-social

behaviour as the convict maybe be imprisoned and as the person is in

custody it can be justified in order to protect the offender itself.

However this is debatable because the offender could be released even

prior to its original sentence and continues on to torment society.

2. The theory of RETRIBUTION- this theory is based on the idea that

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