Disparity Between Imprisonment Rate And Crime Rate

The Disparity Between Imprisonment Rate and Crime Rate in Australia By Christopher Batho During the period of 2002 to 2014, the imprisonment rate in Australia increased while at the same time the crime rate decreased. This essay will aim to give reasons and theories as to why this apparent disparity between the rising imprisonment rate and decreasing crime rate exists. To do this, the purposes for punishment will be examined, how and why this purpose of punishment has changed over time, the sociological and criminological theories that best explain this disparity, and finally the implications on society through these criminal justice trends. However firstly we will examine the statistics that prove this disparity. Between 2002 and†¦show more content†¦Property crime includes unlawful entry with intent (UEWI), motor vehicle theft (MVT) and other theft. The total number of offences for property crime has decreased from 1,188,582 in 2002 to 773348 in 2012. From both sets of data, it can be calculated that in the period of 2002 to 2012, the impr isonment rate increased 13.5 percent yet the violent crime and property crime rates decreased 26 percent and 35 percent respectively. The question is, how is this possible? This will be answered later but now the purposes for punishment will now be studied. When a person is guilty of a crime, it is society’s job to punish this person for their act. Once the person has been found guilty, they are then sentenced by a judge with a certain purpose or purposes for the punishment. The main four purposes used are retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and incapacitation. Retribution is defined by Mani as the offender ‘must be punished simply because the wrongful act merits condemnation and punishment.’ (Reference). Deterrence is ‘based on the idea that criminal behaviour can be deterred if punishment is swift, certain, and severe enough to counter the benefits or pleasure gained from committing crime.’ (Reference). Rehabilitation of an offender may be achi eved through education or therapy. However, it must be understood that in order for rehabilitation to be