Poverty And Incarceration: The Criminalization Of Despair By Larry Covin
CCJS 461 7380 Psychology of Criminal Behavior
Literature Review
July 19, 2015
Article 1
Homelessness, Poverty, and Incarceration: The Criminalization of Despair by Larry Covin is the first article that will be reviewed. This article reflects on the impact that homelessness and poverty, among other factors, can have on incarceration and likelihood of committing crime, the conditions that the poor face in prison, and how those in poverty are treated during the criminal justice process.
This article reports on the injustices and treatment suffered by the homeless and poor in jail, the disparity between the sentencing of the poor and homeless and the more affluent and ways to address this disparity. The author witnessed …show more content…
They are unlikely to have the same opportunities as individuals are financially secure. They are also more likely to have unstable family environments and have not learned traditional values that others have been taught. Conditions in the prisons are intolerable for this group since they have no on their side and justice system is not on their side. Colin (2012) states “It is obvious that the poor do not commit more crimes than do the wealthy; however, they are more likely to encounter discriminatory practices throughout the adjudicatory process from beginning to end”(p. …show more content…
Instead of sentencing these individuals to jail alternative sentencing options are suggested. This includes probation, community service, residential treatment, as well as other options that don’t include jail time for lesser offenses.
Theories of justice are also referred to in the article. These theories utilize concepts by John Rawls which include ideas on how to “create an environment of opportunity and access by all to the most comprehensive range of prospects” (Colin, 2012, p. 444). This theory can lead to a society where individuals are given opportunities to succeed.
In conclusion, this article supports the correlation between poverty and crime. Individuals who are forced to live in poverty may have the feeling that they have to do whatever is necessary to survive, and this includes commit crimes. There is also a propensity to reoffend for those in poverty since they have nothing to return home to when they are released my jail.
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Literature Review
July 19, 2015
Article 1
Homelessness, Poverty, and Incarceration: The Criminalization of Despair by Larry Covin is the first article that will be reviewed. This article reflects on the impact that homelessness and poverty, among other factors, can have on incarceration and likelihood of committing crime, the conditions that the poor face in prison, and how those in poverty are treated during the criminal justice process.
This article reports on the injustices and treatment suffered by the homeless and poor in jail, the disparity between the sentencing of the poor and homeless and the more affluent and ways to address this disparity. The author witnessed …show more content…
They are unlikely to have the same opportunities as individuals are financially secure. They are also more likely to have unstable family environments and have not learned traditional values that others have been taught. Conditions in the prisons are intolerable for this group since they have no on their side and justice system is not on their side. Colin (2012) states “It is obvious that the poor do not commit more crimes than do the wealthy; however, they are more likely to encounter discriminatory practices throughout the adjudicatory process from beginning to end”(p. …show more content…
Instead of sentencing these individuals to jail alternative sentencing options are suggested. This includes probation, community service, residential treatment, as well as other options that don’t include jail time for lesser offenses.
Theories of justice are also referred to in the article. These theories utilize concepts by John Rawls which include ideas on how to “create an environment of opportunity and access by all to the most comprehensive range of prospects” (Colin, 2012, p. 444). This theory can lead to a society where individuals are given opportunities to succeed.
In conclusion, this article supports the correlation between poverty and crime. Individuals who are forced to live in poverty may have the feeling that they have to do whatever is necessary to survive, and this includes commit crimes. There is also a propensity to reoffend for those in poverty since they have nothing to return home to when they are released my jail.
Support