Prisons, Punishment and Justice of CriminologyEssayQuestion: Why do we punish? Using a comparative example and theories studied in this subject, discuss how and why the goals of punishment might vary in different national and cultural contexts.IntroductionPunishment has long been used to deter and limit criminal behaviour for the benefit of society. There are many different types of punishments for many different reasons, and they can be temporary or lifelong. However, at this point, we need to know the ultimate reason as to why punishment should be implemented. In terms of reasons for punishment, Emile Durkheim’s theory of the necessity of punishment will be provided, which is to maintain order in society based on morality and the solidarity of the members of society (Smith, 2014). This will also be illustrated with examples of mass incarceration in America and Halden Prison in Norway to show that the functions and purposes of punishment can differ depending on the national and culture moral content inherent in punishment as an instrument of crime control and presents it as a fundamental basis for social penal practices (Thompson, 2003). Maintaining order and promoting co-operation in the moral process acts as a socially binding cycle of reaffirmation. In other words, as criminal behaviour increases in the absence of punishment and the collective consciousness weakens, so do the moral ties that hold society together. In conclusion, according to Durkheim’s theory, this set of shared emotions, focused and organised through punishment, serves to create social solidarity, reaffirming mutual beliefs and relationships, thereby strengthening social ties and morality.Mass Incarceration of AmericaInterestingly, the various functions and goals of this punishment can vary depending on the national and cultural context. After emphasising rehabilitation for about 70 years in the first half of the 20th century, criminal punishment in the United States began to focus on retributilike life expectancy. Overall, the shift in the purpose of punishment in the USA from rehabilitation to retribution has undoubtedly helped social and criminal justice policies initiate and perpetuate mass incarceration.Halden Prison in NorwayUnlike punitive punishment in the United States, there is one country that has created a penal system that is goal-oriented towards the social welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners: Norway. Norwegian prisons operated similarly to those in the United States until the 2000s, but the Norwegian Ministry of Justice reassessed the goals and methods of punishment and made rehabilitation and resocialisation a priority (Hanssen & Hoidal, 2022). In particular, Halden Prison in Norway has as its ultimate goal as punishment the behavioural change of its inmates and their return to society as law-abiding citizens. With modern, well-organised facilities, relatively free movement, and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, Halden Prison is unlike any other form of incarment start with the purpose of punishment that we explored. In the United States, where punishment was implemented from a retributive perspective, it was thought to be an effective punishment by exerting great power over inmates, but the results were the opposite. Halden Prison in Norway, on the other hand, provided humane punishment for its inmates in an environment that involved co-operation between different sections. This context can be linked to the concept of governmentality by Foucault. Foucault describes governmentality as “the ensemble formed by institutions, procedures, analyses and reflections, calculations, and tactics” that enable the exercise of unique and new forms of power (Foucault, 2009, p.108). First of all, according to the concept of governmentality, coercive power should not be exerted by the sovereign for the sake of punishment. Punishment should not be in the form of governance and power to punish in an appropriate manner, but rather the governing skills of differ than absolute power by the sovereign, can minimise the irrationality and side effects of punishment, which may vary depending on the national and cultural context. Therefore, punishment must be fulfilled from an efficient integration with different institutions and groups, not only for the social reintegration of prisoners, but also for public safety.Reference ListDurkheim, E. (1983). The division of labor in society. Free Press.Fair, H. & Walmsley, R. (2021). World Prison Population List (13th edition). Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research, London. Hyperlink "https://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/world_prison_population_list_13th_edition.pdf" https://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/world_prison_population_list_13th_edition.pdfFoucault, M. (2009). Security, territory, population : lectures at the College De France, 1977–1978 (M. Senellart, F. Ewald, & A. Fontana, Eds.; G. Burchell, Trans.). Palgrave Macmillan UK.5338
Assessment 3: Final EssayCriminological perspectives to understand the relationship between crime, media and cultureThe media has a direct impact on our perception of crime. This influence is increasing, as our lives are increasingly filled with television (TV), smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. Therefore, it is necessary to apply criminological perspectives to understand media and crime influencing cultural perceptions: Cultivation theory and Framing theory. Cultivation theory argues that increased exposure to TV leads to an individual’s perception of crime (violent crime) as being more serious than in the real world (Pollock, Tapia & Sibila 2022). Framing theory, on the other hand, claims that providing a particular perspective on criminal events can influence consumers’ perceptions (Jacobsen 2023). The two theories provided are closely related to each other in that they both deal with media representations of crime and violence and have a direct impact on cultural pewers cultivate their own behaviour through TV, the framing theory explains behaviour created by the media. Bateson (1972, p. 197) defined the concept of framing as ‘spatial and temporal bounding of a set of interactive messages.’ With regard to framing theory, the media concentrates attention on specific perspectives of events and then places them in a semantic field. The most common application of frames is the structure that the media place on the information they represent. Framing theory explains that the media establishes this context by presenting stories items with limited and predefined contextualisation (Clifford & White 2021). The way they present something to the audience, or ‘frame,’ influences how people process that information and the choices they make. Furthermore, frames can be designed to improve understanding or used as a cognitive shortcut to connect a story to the bigger picture. Particularly, when media and crime are merged, framing organises crime and justice. Fsed as the most brutal offender by mental health. Symptoms of mental disorders can trigger violent behaviours, but are not in themselves a predictor of violence (Graham et al. 2023). Nevertheless, when negative public opinion about mental health is shaped by biased media, the impact on cultural perceptions will persist in their daily lives. People with mental illnesses may be viewed as more dangerous, unpredictable, or more violent than those without because of media that only emphasises the negative effects of mental illness. Graham et al. (2023) discovered that people believed those with mental health issue were more inclined to commit a crime compared to those without, with stereotypical reasoning. Besides, stigma and labelling in the media can create barriers to finding the medical intervention they need, appropriate treatment, and help to recover (Canfield & Cunningham 2018). In Ney’s case, he requested medication for his mental illness on six separate occasions but was repeatedlya. It broke my heart that people who needed support mentally and physically, but were socially isolated and did not get enough help, ended up committing crimes. I believe that using exaggeration or framing to get public’s attention is a shameful act for consumers and the history of modern media in the Australian context. Therefore, I believe there needs to be a proactive effort by the media and consumers to prevent further tragedies from happening.In terms of crime, culture, and media, addressing the representation of crime in the media, which can influence cultural perceptions, is of utmost importance to our lives. The link between the framing theory, whereby specific criminal events are framed, and the cultivation theory, whereby repeated TV viewing of crime affects our daily lives, is indispensable. The fact that Australian media coverage only meets half of the guidelines that should be met has left me disappointed and discouraged, along with a mistrust of the Australian media (Grahers.Gelb, K 2019 ‘Why are we so worried about crime when rates are actually falling?’, THE AGE, 16 September, viewed 20 October 2023, < Hyperlink "https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/why-are-we-so-worried-about-crime-when-rates-are-actually-falling-20190916-p52rq6.html" https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/why-are-we-so-worried-about-crime-when-rates-are-actually-falling-20190916-p52rq6.html>.Gerbner, G & Gross, L 1976, ‘Living With Television: The Violence Profile’, Journal of communication. vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 172–194, viewed 20 October 2023, Sage journals database, DOI: 10.1177/*************6555.Graham, M, Morgan, A, Paton, E & Ross A 2023, ‘Examining the quality of news media reporting of complex mental illness in relation to violent crime in Australia’. International journal of social psychiatry. pp. 2*************1–2*************1, viewed 18 October 2023, Sage journals database, DOI: 10.1177/002*************1.Hughes, C 2022, Hours of free-to-air TV watched each wee