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Sex crimes and the new punitiveness
1Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. john.pratt@vuw.ac.nz
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|June 30, 2000
Summary
Modern societies are seeing new forms of punishment for sex offenders, reflecting a rise in "new punitiveness." This shift moves legal punishment beyond traditional, bureaucratic, and expert-driven models, driven by societal changes.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Penal Policy
Background:
- Modern penality evolved towards bureaucratic, expert-influenced, and consistent punishment models.
- Special measures like indeterminate sentences for sex offenders fell into disuse by the 1970s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the emergence of "new punitiveness" in modern penal systems.
- To examine how recent sanctions, particularly for sex offenders, challenge established penal parameters.
- To explore the socio-economic drivers behind these penal shifts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of penal reforms and sentencing practices in Western societies.
- Review of the historical development of modern penality.
- Examination of the influence of socio-economic changes on criminal justice policies.
Main Results:
- New punitiveness has revitalized and expanded upon older, exceptional penal measures.
- Contemporary sanctions increasingly diverge from the formerly established parameters of modern penality.
- These changes are linked to significant economic and social transformations in Western societies.
Conclusions:
- The rise of "new punitiveness" signifies a departure from established norms in legal punishment.
- Socio-economic shifts are key factors driving these evolving penal strategies.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for comprehending contemporary criminal justice trends.