People often view the criminal justice system through two perspectives: crime control and due process. Crime control involves the standard and expedited processing of a defendant through the court system with uniform punishment according to the severity of his or her crimes. This contrasts with the due-process perspective, which focuses on the rights of the defendant, whom the system presumes is innocent until a trial proves him or her guilty, at which point he or she goes through processing in a personalized rehabilitation program. This article provides a basic overview of the crime control approach. Those interested in a deeper understanding and knowledge of crime control may want to look into the Lamar University Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) online program.
Crime Control Vs. Due Process
Law enforcement and criminal justice personnel regard the crime control model as a tool to deter and repress criminal behavior, as it focuses on arresting and punishing offenders. Although the current criminal justice system borrows heavily from the due process model, there are concepts from crime control that our system can accommodate. For instance, the due process model favors developing informal community persuasion and rehabilitation through community centers, halfway houses, parole clinics and work release programs. This approach may help re-integrate offenders into the community, but it does not address prevention. Crime control theory details effective prevention techniques.
Using Deterrence to Prevent Crime
A student in a MSCJ program will spend a great deal of time analyzing crime control, starting with a comprehensive overview of various theoretical approaches. Understanding crime and delinquency requires biological, psychological, sociological, legal and political analyses. While the due process and crime control models have historically clashed due to different core philosophies, it is possible that parts of each model can complement the other.
Incorporating Crime Control in Due Process
Schools like Lamar University offer courses in crime control that involve in-depth study of the crime control model, its place in modern society and methods to integrate it with the due process model. Lamar’s online MSCJ program engages in critical review and analysis of the roles that governmental and non-governmental organizations play in the prevention, control and punishment of crime and delinquency. Students in this program practice policy analysis, and they must review recommendations for systemic change.
The due process model often conflicts with the crime control model, but criminal justice stands to benefit from both approaches. Enrolling in an online MSCJ program is a great way to learn about the latest iteration of crime control theory.
Learn more about the Lamar University online MSCJ program.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Detectives and Criminal Investigators
National Criminal Justice Reference Service: Crime Control: A Theoretical View
