NCJ Number
55849
Journal
Political Quarterly Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: (1978) Pages: 322-333
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE DIFFERENCES IN PERSPECTIVE OF THE LABOR AND THE CONSERVATIVE PARTIES IN ENGLAND ON VARIOUS PENAL ISSUES ARE ANALYZED. THE LABOR PARTY HAS ISSUED FEW MATERIALS ON THE SUBJECT; MOST OF THESE DEAL WITH REHABILITATION.
Abstract
A SURVEY OF REPORTS, PUBLIC STATEMENTS, AND POSITION PAPERS TRACES THE VIEWS OF THE LIBERAL LABOR PARTY AND THE TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE PARTY REGARDING THE RISING CRIME RATE, APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS, AND THE RISING PRISON POPULATION. BOTH PARTIES WISH TO REDUCE CRIME BUT THEIR APPROACHES REVEAL DIFFERENCES. CONSERVATIVE LITERATURE EMPHASIZES 'PUTTING SOCIETY FIRST' AND HAS A RETRIBUTION APPROACH. THE LABOR PARTY EMPHASIZES REHABILITATION OF THE OFFENDER, AND CALLS FOR MORE SOCIAL SERVICES TO MEET THE PERCEIVED SOCIOECONOMIC CAUSES OF CRIME WHILE THE CONSERVATIVES CALL FOR STRONGER DISCIPLINE AT HOME AND IN THE SCHOOLS. BOTH PARTIES BELIEVE IN A STRONG POLICE FORCE AND GOOD CRIMINAL APPREHENSION. HOWEVER, THEY DIFFER ON THE SUBJECT OF SENTENCING, WITH THE LABOR PARTY CALLING FOR GREATER USE OF ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION WHILE THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY PUTS GREAT FAITH IN IMPRISONMENT AS A DETERRENT. IN GENERAL, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY TENDS TO HOLD THE OFFENDER MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS CONDUCT AND VIEWS CRIME AS A MORE RATIONAL ACT WHILE THE LABOR PART VIEWS CRIME MORE AS AN OUTGROWTH OF SOCIAL FACTORS. THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PAPER SPECULATES ON REASONS WHY THE LABOR PARTY HAS ISSUED FEWER MATERIALS ON PENAL POLICY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT LIBERAL SOCIAL THEORIES ARE VAGUE AND LESS TESTED, AND THE PARTY HAS CONCENTRATED MORE ON GENERAL SOCIAL REFORM, THAN ON PENAL THEORY SPECIFICALLY. THE CONSERVATIVES ARE WRITING FROM A SOCIAL POSITION THAT HAS BEEN POPULAR FOR YEARS AND THEREFORE CAN ISSUE MATERIALS WITH MORE CONFIDENCE. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)