Social Institutions for Crime Prevention: A Proactive Approach

Prevention is better than cure!

Above is a phrase often heard but least applied. When considering the cost of modern-day crime, the importance of utilizing this principle becomes apparent. Crime prevention is defined as ‘the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk, and the initiative of some action to remove it’ (National Crime Prevention Institute, 1971). Have you ever thought of incorporating social institutions for crime prevention? Let’s begin the discussion keeping the inter-relationship and inter-dependency among social institutions explained by Spenser (1851) in mind.

Family: the primary stakeholder

As the basic structural and functional social unit, the family plays a pivotal role in crime prevention. The weight assigned to this institution is illustrious through the constitutional excerpt ’27 (12) the state shall recognize and protect the family as the basic unit of society’. Despite the effect of modernization, the family continues to be the combination of common residence, economic cooperation, reproduction, and socialization, as identified by Murdock (1949).

Since it ensures mutual attachment, common residence is essential in keeping the family unbroken. Meanwhile, economic cooperation within the household should demonstrate gender equality. Taken from a criminological standpoint, the family should ensure legitimate means to achieve sexual gratification as well. Accompanied by these are the shaping of personalities through primary socialization. To make the child comply with societal standards, the family should cater to his psychological needs, from breastfeeding to school enrollment.

What role does education play?

As Lord Buddha once preached, education is a continuous process that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of an individual. In developing crime prevention strategies, emphasis should be on the contribution this has on the process of socialization. As Durkheim (1956) identified, a continuous effort is required to impose the ways of seeing, feeling, and acting on the child. Hence, the role of molding the child as a law-abiding citizen is assigned to education. Inculcating the social norms through effective means will empower the youth to distinguish right from wrong.

Apart from socialization, education lubricates upward social mobility, which Nurkse (1953) identified as the breaking force in the vicious cycle of poverty. Since poverty leads to different forms of deviance, empowering youth with quality education will boost the quality of life and reduce any criminal opportunities. In addition, Worsley et al. (1972) highlighted how employees are produced, democratic participation is encouraged, social values are taught, social integration is enhanced, and occupation placement is guaranteed as functions of education. Through developing sustainable education policies today, safer communities will be the outcome tomorrow.

Even religion shapes behavior!

Religion represents a unified system of beliefs and practices and is closely associated with mankind. As an informal means of social control, the role religion can play in crime prevention is noteworthy. As Frazer (2012) described, religious beliefs guide and control the nature of human activities and existence. For instance, the five precepts in Buddhism that emphasize respect for life, property, privacy, truth, and mannered conduct lay a foundation for self-discipline, hence contributing to crime prevention via an ethical approach.

As Sapir (1928) described, the essence of religion is to create spiritual serenity across the perplexities and dangers of life. Hence, the inner peace promoted through religion will deter man from triggering violence outside. Even in community-based initiatives, religion can play a crucial role. As Durkheim (1995) identified, social solidarity is reinforced through religious rituals. Hence, involvement in religious activities will rebuild community trust and deter crime. Therefore, embracing spiritual purity via incorporating religious values into socialization will pave the path to safer communities.

You can’t forget the economy…

The economic institution plays a crucial role in determining the dimension to which a society navigates. Emphasizing the importance of a strategic response, modernization has resulted in a spectrum of financial crimes, from fraud to money laundering. As Durkheim (1984) explained, the division of labor caused the shift from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity and has replaced collective consciousness with individualism, resulting in anomie and deviance. Simultaneously, Weber (1922) described the rationalization and bureaucratic work culture as characteristics of this modern economic setup.

What has to be derived for policy-making is the importance of addressing values within the modern economy. Introducing a value-based approach into bureaucratic work culture, reducing poverty through sustainable solutions, making taxation justifiable, interpreting employment as a means of production, shifting to a client-centered economy, and integrating technological innovations for increased efficiency will be truly effective along this journey.

Is politics required?

Often associated with the occurrence and prevention of criminal incidents is the political institution. Described by Spenser (1851) as the brain of society, politics remains an indispensable part of sustainable development. Even in crime prevention strategies, a huge responsibility relies upon the political institution. For instance, the policy-making process should comply with the standard structural goals. Unless the structural impediments are removed through viable solutions, effective crime prevention remains a dream.

As Weber (1922) explained, social evolution has made rationalization the prominent characteristic of modern thought. Whatever initiative the government takes for crime prevention has to be aligned with this principle. Most importantly, the maintenance of the rule of law should be taken seriously. As Dicey (1945) explained, supremacy of law, equality before the law, and respect for constitutional principles should be the core of every decision. In creating a crime-free social system, a strategic approach to ensure respect for human rights, social welfare systems, and zero tolerance policies towards corruption will be of utmost importance. Thus, the end goal has to be a governance of the people, by the people, and for the people, where the rule of law is ensured and the quality of life is elevated.

Last but not least,

In conclusion, without waiting for a crime to occur, eliminating the root causes through this macro-level approach is essential. Since everyone wish a crime-free society with multiple avenues opened towards development, developing a strategic plan for crime prevention is essential. Unless the action is made today, another student will pen a similar article after a decade or so.  

R.P. Pabasara,
Final Year Undergraduate,
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

References

Dicey, A.V. (1945) An Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution: 9^th Edition. Macmillan.

Durkheim, E. (1956). Education and Sociology. The Free Press.

Durkheim, E. (1984). The Division of Labor in Society. The Free Press.

Durkheim, E. (1995). Elementary Forms of Religious Life. The Free Press.

Frazer, J.G. (2012). The Golden Bough: Third Edition. Cambridge University Press.     

Murdock, G.P. (1949). Social Structure. Macmillan.

National Crime Prevention Institute. (1971).

Nurkse, R. (1953). Problems of Capital Formation in Underdeveloped Countries. Oxford University Press.

Sapir. E. (1928). The Meaning of Religion. Culture Volume III. p. 133-146.  

Spencer, H. (1851). Social Statics. London: John Chapman.

The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. (2023). Parliament Secretariat.

Weber, M. (1922). Economy and Society. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Worsley, P. et al. (1972). Introducing Sociology. England: Penguin Books.