[*cough*]

So I've posted today that I've handed in the last paper for my masters - in criminal justice. So given I've had a glass of wine and now can call myself a criminologist, I might get on my high horse for the evening. I read something in another thread inferring that if someone has family that are criminals then they might be more likely to be bad news (no actual accusation was made but the conclusion was easy to draw).

That's just wrong and I pointed it out. Genetic theories of criminality just have no basis.

It got me thinking (and I suppose law/justice especially is a common one) but what do people say that you know from studies etc is wrong...?

Nothing gets me more ranty then someone saying criminals should be locked up and the key thrown away... I am a strong believer in rehabilitation and think it is one of the main downfalls of our criminal justice system.

Having said that - I will add a big caveat, while I think rehabilitation is a good thing, it doesn't apply to ALL criminals (for obvious reasons).

ETA: Amend spelling (obviously 2 champers means I can't spell).

This post has been edited by *cough*: 06/01/2013, 09:07 PM

[Saecularis Angel...]

Ha. Where do I start?

I'll pick an EB favourite theme, that clergy are out to control people. Trust me, folks, we have our own lives to worry about and don't need to micromanage yours as well!

In regards to your post, though, *cough*, I wonder if in the thread you're referring to, the person wasn't so much suggesting a genetic theory of criminality as a social association?

[*cough*]

In regards to your post, though, *cough*, I wonder if in the thread you're referring to, the person wasn't so much suggesting a genetic theory of criminality as a social association?

Yes you may very well be right.

Predictors of criminality is a bit of a shopping list (and has both static and dynamic factors - ie prematurity, previous offence history) but I'm still not sure that social association is one of them. I don't think it is a good thing though. There is always agency - people have free will.

[FiveAus]

There is so much posted here that is wrong or misinformed about a particular government department, that it's laughable. I just stay away, cos I work for that department and don't combine work with leisure.

[Lucretia Borgia]

It got me thinking (and I suppose law/justice especially is a common one) but what do people say that you know from studies etc is wrong...?

The death penalty is the great deterrent of crime. It isn't. And in most cases when people call for it they are looking for vengeance not justice.

Congrats on passing your studies!

[sarkazm76]

Boat People. That "they" are a huge problem and there are sooo many of them..... when in actual fact there are more people here from illegally overstaying their visas then people arrived illegally by boat. Drives me batty.
And of course that is just one tidbit - pretty much every tidbit thrown around about this topic is bull.

[*cough*]

The death penalty is the great deterrent of crime. It isn't. And in most cases when people call for it they are looking for vengeance not justice.

Congrats on passing your studies!

Oh yeah! This one does my head in. the death penalty does NOT deter crime. I hate when this stuff comes up at dinner parties.

[Guest_3Keiki_*]

Oh gosh I second the boat people one.
How about that having some appearance of affluence means you are arrogant...

[Guest_3Keiki_*]

hmmmm the death penalty, I don't think it deters crime either, I agree it is more out of revenge but I do think that some crimes are so heinous that society shouldn't be spending money keeping them alive behing bars until they die of natural causes.... oh course I am very biased with this one but still try to keep an open mind.
cough congrats that is a wonderful achievement if I could have my time over I would have loved to look at this...

[FiveAus]

Boat People. That "they" are a huge problem and there are sooo many of them..... when in actual fact there are more people here from illegally overstaying their visas then people arrived illegally by boat. Drives me batty.
And of course that is just one tidbit - pretty much every tidbit thrown around about this topic is bull.

Yes, and the fact that they are "illegal" when it's a basic human right to seek asylum in another country when your life is being threatened in your own.
And the myth that they come here and get all these handouts from the government such as houses, cars, wads of cash and it's just not true. They come here in fear for their lives, they are treated like sh*t, and given no more than someone on unemployment benefits.
We have such a big wonderful country that's practically empty, and we should be saying "Come in, you're safe here, no one will hurt you now".