Discuss Evaluation and Crime Prevention, Physical Environment and Crime, Neighborhood Crime Prevention

1. Types of Evaluation;

The investigation of the crimes being committed or probably have the chance of commitment are evaluated under one of the most effective evaluation category known as the Frugal evaluation. This type of evaluation is pivoted around the concepts of action researches for the evaluation of the crime. This action research is of two types, given below:

1. Problem-Solving Approach
   1. scanning
   2. analysis
   3. response
   4. assessment
2. Situational Crime Prevention (it is the most flexible form of crime prevention and evaluation)
   1. collect data on a specific crime problem;
   2. analyze the situational conditions in which the problem exists
   3. study ways to block opportunities for offending
   4. implement the most promising strategies
   5. Monitor results and apply to similar problems.

2. Theory and Measurement in Evaluation;

Often the evaluation over shadows the importance and significance of choosing the right measurement variables and leads to distorted evaluative results. In order to achieve the precise results, it is important to concentrate on the theory along with the evaluative measures as well. For the evaluation to be efficient and effective, it is important to have firm theoretical base and foundation.

3. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design;

Often measures are taken in which the geographical conditions and situations are altered in an attempt to prevent the crime rate and occurrences. Such type of alterations are called “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” or (CPTED). The concept of CPTED evolved from the Newman’s model known as the “defensible space”. In this approach following changes can be made:

1. changing architectural designs;
2. enhance territory and surveillance;
3. target hardening;
4. Identification of the legitimate users of that area.

4. Impact of Physical Design;

Impact of physical design can be direct or indirect and can be described in three types as following:

1. Type 1: effects measures the direct impact including lights, locks and fences, etc.
2. Type 2: effects measure the direct impact on the intervention factors;
3. Type 3: directs impact of intervening factors on the crime.

5. Neighborhood Crime Prevention;

One of the most effective ways of crime prevention in the effective use of the neighborhood crime prevention measures. It has been under practice for more than fifty years. Following are some types of the approach:

1. Neighborhood/Block watch;
2. Community anti-drug programs
3. Citizen patrols
4. Police Community Involvement;

6. Evaluation and Impact of Programs;

Once proper evaluation has been done on the crime scenes, it can be used to reduce the impact of the crime on the society and bring down the ration of the fear of crime. The impact of the prevention programs and strategies can also be further enhanced.

7. Citizen Participation and Support;

However, in order to make any strategy or program successful, it is essential that the participation and the support of the citizen must be confirmed. Otherwise, it is impossible to control the ration of crimes.

Question # 4

The prisons are meant to be the departments of corrective measures, reinforcement of the socially and morally acceptable attitudes and rehabilitation of the criminal minded individuals. Having such objectives, it is wise for the state wide jails to conduct the programs similar to the Angola Jail to raise the funds for the rehabilitation of the inmates. Although there may be several potential risks but the benefits seem to outweigh those risks. The more the intense and well financed the rehabilitation program is, the more chances exist that a number of the female prisoners are likely to be released. One of the most effective and risk free rehabilitation program is led in the prisons, state wide. “Lipscomb University in Tennessee has begun offering courses to the inmates at the Tennessee Prison for Women. For the first time ever in that state, courses are being offered at the college campus as opposed to the prison. This allows inmates to attend classes with college students enrolled at the university, giving both an opportunity to learn from one another. Of the 70 inmates who applied to the program, 15 inmates were selected” [1].

This will add several benefits such as the early release of the female prisoners will help them get associated to the society in a better way, secondly the over population of the US jails will also be resolved to a certain extent and the trust on the prison authorities will be regained as they will have the reputation of being more of the rehabilitation experts than harsh punishers.

References

[1] http://ncpc.typepad.com/prevention_works_blog/2007/01/title_needed.html