Which criminological account (theory) best represents the causes of mass imprisonment?

Which criminological account (theory) best represents the causes of mass imprisonment?

Introduction

It is significant to understand criminology as it is important in both theoretical and practical senses. Crime affects the society on the whole, thus criminology is essential to understand as it helps to determine the factors and causes that results in social disintegration, along with this the study also suggests ways to prevent and eradicate crime by searching for measures for remedy. The study will enable to indicate ways that will eliminate the chance of criminal behavior in society (Wildeman, 2013).

In the past 36 years the rate of criminals penalized by the law has risen dramatically. It has been recorded that in the past four decades the rate has grown up to seven times since the beginning of the law of mass imprisonment. The worst part of the law is that it is not uniform amongst the society and has targeted in particularly the segment of society which is already disadvantageous in terms of economic opportunities. One third of the African American dropouts of high school are behind the bars under case generalized under the heading of mass imprisonment.

Although the debate is not public and availed openly in media but the social inequality developed due to mass imprisonment is debated at all levels of the society from federal level till the state levels and amongst the locals. It is predicted that if this problem is not resolved might lead to another civil war.

The researchers who have been working upon the issues of mass imprisonment have their focus upon the system developed due to the phenomena of mass imprisonment and the effect it has made upon the people who are attached to this system including their families and communities. The main findings of their research have stressed upon the fact that mass imprisonment has lead to social inequality as it has deprived the prisoners and their families from normal life as negative sentiment is developing against them in the society (Wildeman, 2013).

Discussion

Power/ Knowledge by Foucault

Foucault was one of the earliest critiques of mass imprisonment. The person imprisoned is not only affected with the trouble and depression, but it is also their family member who has to face the society and bear negative comments of people. The family members of the person who is imprison has to face Psychological burden, social stigma, and financial strains. The mass imprisonment has affected various regions at a greater level. The number of children whose parent is in prison affects the most (Lynch, 2007). The childhood of these children severely disturbed if their parent is in a jail. This is the mainstream experience in low-income groups. Child of a criminal represents a child as a criminal.

There are some single parents children whose parent is imprisoned face a miserable life and become a potential criminal because of the social stigma. If the children of imprisoned, parents are not consulted they will be future ...