Crime in Jamaica. Paper Example

Crime can be described as prohibited conduct punishable by the authority or laws of a particular state (Akers & Jensen, 2017). On the other hand, deviance refers to actions which violate enacted rules and social norms of society (Downes, Rock, & McLaughlin, 2016). Examples of deviance include: ignoring folkways, taboos, and cultural practices of a community. In this paper, a discussion is presented about the incidences of crime and their impacts in Jamaica.

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Types of Crime in Jamaica

Depending on its severity, crime can be classified as felony, infraction or misdemeanor. In Jamaica, a felony is regarded as a serious offense that can attract capital punishment (Akers & Jensen, 2017). On the other hand, a misdemeanor is considered petty crimes with less severe punishments (Akers & Jensen, 2017). Lastly, infractions are summary offenses with shorter sentences and smaller fines.

Impacts of Crime in Jamaica

Criminal activities in Jamaica have caused both social and economic impacts in the country. In particular, crime rates are high in urban settlements such as Kingston, Montego Bay, and Spanish Town (Morris & Maguire, 2015). Law enforcement officers in Jamaica have reported recurring crimes such as murders, aggravated assaults, rapes, and robberies. Due to constant criminal threats, residents are scared thus limiting their freedom and participation in public places (Jaffe, 2019). In Jamaica, criminal offenses like robbery and aggravated assaults are conducted by male youths aged between 19 and 17 years. On the other hand, female youths engage in prostitution and homicides. Accordingly, crimes in Jamaica are committed by perpetrators living in poor conditions as opposed to those having stable lifestyles (Jaffe, 2019).

Conclusion

An evaluation of the criminal activities in Jamaica indicated that many perpetrators engage in robbery, homicide, prostitution, and drug-related crimes. It was also noted that engagement in crime varies with age, gender, and social status. Accordingly, the discussion revealed that criminal activities in Jamaica have negatively impacted the economy and social welfare.

References

Akers, R. L., & Jensen, G. F. (2017). The empirical status of social learning theory of crime and deviance: The past, present, and future. Taking stock (pp. 37-76). Routledge. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315130620

Downes, D., Rock, P. E., & McLaughlin, E. (2016). Understanding deviance: a guide to the sociology of crime and rule-breaking. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2307/3339992

Jaffe, R. (2019). Writing around violence: Representing organized crime in Kingston, Jamaica. Ethnography. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138118818585

Morris, P. K., & Maguire, E. R. (2015). Political culture, neighborhood structure, and homicide in urban Jamaica. British journal of criminology, 56(5), 919-936. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azv073