Garth Rattray
CRIME IS obviously our number one problem. Not only is there no quick and simple solution but we also seem to be doing most things the same old way and committing costly repetitive mistakes. Our correctional system is one such example. In spite of the best efforts of our officials, it has remained overwhelmingly penal and has succeeded in producing more hardened criminals than reformed human beings.
It was once theorised that criminal tendencies are inherited. So convincing was the argument that the famous (United States) Associate Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jnr. favoured forced sterilisation. In 1927 he stated, "It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for their crime ... society can prevent those persons who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind." Because of this thinking, over 60,000 US citizens were forcefully sterilised under America's shameful eugenics laws until it was ruled unconstitutional in 1942.
CRIMINALITY AND POVERTY
Criminality has been consistently linked to poverty. Robert C. Merton, PhD (Economic Scientist and 1997 Nobel prize winner) once said that although society offers the same goals and rewards to all its citizens, it doesn't provide the same means and opportunities. Scholars have used this reasoning to conclude that the poor feel desperate, angry and cheated; consequently, some attempt to punish society and take back from it what they feel they (as legitimate members of society) deserve. This does not however explain white-collar crimes (committed by those who already have the rewards that society provides for those who are able to make use of the opportunities within the system). The postulate that poverty is to blame for crime was deservedly trivialised by journalist H.L. Mencken who said, "The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor."
CONTRIBUTORS
Physical environs, popular music with angry, disrespectful, inciting, aggressive lyrics, war-like rhythms, violent movies, subversive books and the easy access to irresponsible television programming are also believed to contribute to criminal behaviour. Legendary writer and movie director Alfred Hitchcock once quipped, "Television has brought murder back into the home where it belongs." Numerous other theories for violence and murder have leeched their way out of highfalutin medical writings and research material into courtrooms worldwide. Murders have been blamed on passion (heartbreak), the pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), peri-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), post-partum depression syndrome (PPDS), extra chromosomes, psychopathic personalities, demons, phases of the moon, hypoglycaemia, food allergies, psychomotor epilepsy, prescribed medications, illicit drugs, head injuries and brain tumours. What we know for certain is that criminality is the result of many factors, including genes, environment and psychological development.
FINGER POINTING
What of our situation here in Jamaica? Fingers (many of them crooked) are being pointed in every conceivable direction. The private sector is blaming the politicians; the politicians are blaming the private sector and each concedes to some degree of culpability. Some people are even blaming the churches for failing to instil spirituality into those around them. There is a lot of talk and verbose speeches but (so far) no newly conceived (innovative) concrete action. My personal feeling is that the signing of documents, no matter how they are worded, will do absolutely no earthly good. Talk and promises have got us nowhere in the past and they will get us nowhere now. We need to think and act outside the box. In addition to active social programmes and intelligent security measures, there needs to be a serious attempt at altering the psyche of convicted felons and those that support them.
Although life behind bars is no walk in the park, it provides refuge for many who, staunched by a stubborn indignation towards society, are disinclined to make amends for their wrongdoings. Nations previously torn apart by civil, tribal or ethnic wars have discovered that sentencing properly screened low-risk convicts to apologise to their victims and to perform some form of reparation in exchange for reduced or zero prison time helps to break the vicious, perpetual cycle of crime and violence. Overt expressions of regret, reparation and/or useful community service instil a sense of responsibility towards the society. More next week.
Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
