1. Religion and Crime

2.  All major religions recognise the importance of law and order in society – the law should be respected  Christians believe the causes of crime should be tackled and promote the idea of forgiveness  Muslims believe that they should follow the Qur’an and the law of Muhammad

3.  Social causes: lack of education / abusive violent parents / drug or alcohol addiction / boredom and poor role models  Environmental causes: unemployment / poor estates and gang rivalry  Psychological causes: mental illness / violence on TV or in games

4.  Criminal law: where the state law has been broken: Murder / Robbery etc  Civil law: personal disputes / divorce / sue companies  Indictable: more serious crimes / rape / murder  Non-indictable: less serious / driving offences

5.  Crimes against the person: Murder / Assault  Crimes against property: Vehicle theft / shop lifting / criminal damage  Crimes against the state: Terrorism or Treason

6.  Sin: A crime against religion or God – breaking the commandments Some are similar to the law “Do not steal” some are religions “Remember the Sabbath” Blasphemy – insulting God or religion can be very serious in Muslim countries and carries the death penalty

7.  Protection - protect the public from dangerous people like murders  Retribution – Revenge for a crime – eye for an eye  Deterrence – Stops people committing crimes because of the high punishment – puts people off

8.  Reformation – To change people and their behaviour for the better  Vindication – So people respect the law if there is no punishment people would not obey  Reparation – To make up for their crime, give something back to society - community service

9.  Idea of revenge / getting even / retribution – not acceptable  The Law must be upheld – Vindication  Work with the causes of crime and crime prevention  Must REFORM – punishment and forgiveness go together

10.  Deter people from crime – heavy punishments  Public humiliation – flogging  Law must be respected and the victim satisfied  Muslims hope that they will repent and seek forgiveness from Allah

11.  Protect from dangerous people  Isolate and punish  Stop reoffending  Deterrent and Vindication  A chance to reform

12.  Schools for crime  Breed resentment / bitterness  Very Expensive - £30 000 per year  Most prisoners reoffend 70%  Difficult to get a job

13.  All religions accept the need for prisons  Must reform criminals – education and qualifications  Need to support prisoners on release  Help to overcome addiction

14.  Christians actively involved in prison reform – Vicars visit prisoners  Christians have campaigned for more emphasis on reform  Muslims hope that prison is a deterrence and that criminals will ask for Allah’s forgiveness

15.  In 1969 the UK abolished the death penalty  Arguments for:  Retribution – life for a life  Deterrence – high punishment  Protection – can never reoffend  Finance – Much cheaper than keeping someone in prison for 15 years

16.  Mistakes – Innocent people have been executed  Protection – life in prison should mean life  Deterrence – No evidence that it is more of a deterrent than life in prison  Rights – should the government have the right?

17.  Some Christians support the death penalty – it is still used in parts of America. The bible says a life for a life  Other Christians believe in forgiveness and that only God has the right to take life away  Thou shall not murder – 10 Commandments

18.  Most Muslim countries have the death penalty for murder  Sometimes financial compensation is offered instead of the death penalty  Muhammad accepted the justice of a life for a life

19.  Electronic Tagging – Cheaper than prison but crimes can still be committed – e.g before curfew…. Is an easy punishment?!  Community Service – Gives something back to society, teaches reform, seen as an easy punishment

20.  Fines – Can be instant but some people cant afford it!  Probation – period of good behaviour - offers advice and does not impact on family

21.  The term young offender refers to anyone under 18 who has broken the law.  If a young offender commits a minor crime they may be given:  a reprimand  a final warning  an ASBO (Anti Social Behaviour Order)

22.  Secure training centre – purpose built centres with a focus on education and rehabilitation  Secure Children’s home – run by the local authority social services and focus on the physical, emotional and behavioural needs of the young people  Young offenders Institution – Run by the actual prison service as a form of protection to the public and rehabilitation to the young person

23.  Parole is when a prisoner is released without completing their sentence, this is because they have shown good behaviour in prison and are no longer considered a risk to society. If they are granted parole they need to report to a parole officer on a regular basis.

24.  Early release is when a prison is let out of prison before they have served their full sentence. This may happen in the case of political prisoners or due to overcrowding in prisons

25.  Life imprisonment is the most severe punishment given. The average life sentence is 15 years although it may be longer such as in the case of Myra Hindley. There are less than 50 prisoners in the UK who will remain in prison until they die.