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Criminological Myths and Realities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2025

J.E. HALL WILLIAMS
J.E. HALL WILLIAMS*
Affiliation:
The London School of Economics and Political Science
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Extract

The idea of contrasting myths and realities in the area of criminal justice and the treatment of offenders occurred to me in connection with the theme of an Autumn Weekend Conference in which I took part, held by the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency in November 1968. In my lecture on Myths of Criminal Justice I began by remarking that the dictionary definition of a myth, among other descriptions, said it was “a legend embodying a primitive faith in the supernatural, a fable”. The more conventional use of the term was said to be “some invented story, or an imaginary person or thing”. I said we were not concerned to discuss mythology in the sense of stories about legendary figures in ancient times. I might add that I do not want to discuss primitive faith in the supernatural, although sometimes our approach to crime problems may resemble that too closely to be comfortable! Nor do I wish to discuss invented stories or imaginary persons or things. I said in 1968 I was concerned to examine certain fictions or necessary working assumptions which guide the practical administration of criminal justice. Now in 1976 I wish to extend the discussion to wider aspects of the matter and to include some basic assumptions on which the criminal justice system appears to rest, and some parts of the philosophy of punishment and treatment which have come under discussion and critical examination by western criminologists in recent years. My intention is not necessarily to destroy or undermine these beliefs or working assumptions but to show how criminological study can reveal the truth behind the myth and give shape and substance to the shadowy form which it previously represented. If at the same time we are forced to re-examine some of our basic working assumptions in the light of reality, I will be well satisfied that I have achieved my purpose. I hope I will also have clothed some of our conventional beliefs with the modern garments supplied by criminological research which enables them to be better appreciated and understood.

Information

Type
II. - Articles
Information
International Annals of Criminology , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , 1976 , pp. 13 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © 1976 International Society for Criminology

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Footnotes

(*)

Aquinaes fund lectures delivered in Hungary—march-april 1976.

References

References

HALL WILLIAMS, J.E.: «Myths of criminal Justice» in Crime Myths and Reality, ISTD pamphlet. March 1969.Google Scholar
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D., MARTIN (ed.): Fifty Key Words: Sociology, 1970.Google Scholar
Leslie T., WILKINS: Social Deviance, 1964.Google Scholar
A. K., BOTTOMLEY: Decisions in the Penal Process, 1973.Google Scholar
J., ANDENAES: «General Prevention Revisited: Research and Policy Implications», J.o. of Crim. Lo. and criminology, 1975, vol. 66, No 3, pp. 338 et seq.Google Scholar
HALL WILLIAMS, J.E.: The English Penal System in Transition, 1970.Google Scholar
H.L.A., HART: Punishment and Responsibility, 1968.Google Scholar
Nigel, WALKER: Sentencing in a rational Society, 1969.Google Scholar
Barbara, WOOTON: Crime and the Criminal Law; reflections of a Magistrate and Social Scientist.Google Scholar
Lord, FOOT: House of Lords, Deb. 1970, Vol. 313, col. 551-3, 2nd December 1970, at col. 552.Google Scholar
McKENNA, Sir Brian: «The Judge and the Common Man,» 32 Modern Law Review, 601, at 609.Google Scholar
J., ANDENAES: Punishment and Deterrence, 1974.Google Scholar
F.E., ZIMRING and C.J., HAWKINS: Deterrence: «The legal Threat in Crime Control 1973.»Google Scholar
E., BAXTER and C., NUTTALL: «Severe Sentences: No Deterrent to Crime?» New Society No 639 2nd January 1975.Google Scholar
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Lord Justice SCARMAN: «Control of Sentencing: the balance between the judge and the executive,» Howard League for Penal Reform, 1974.Google Scholar
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S.A., SHAH: «Dangerousness and civil commitment of the mentally ill: some public policy considerations.» Vol. 132, N° 5 American journal of Psychiatry, pp. 501 et seq.Google Scholar
B. L., DIAMOND: «The psychiatric prediction of dangerousness,» vol. 123 no. 2, Univ. of Pennsylvania Law Rev., 1974, pp. 439 et seq.Google Scholar
P.D., SCOTT: «Solutions to the problem of the dangerous offender» British medical Journal, 1974, pp. 640–641.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
J., MONAHAN and L., CUMININGS: «Social Policy Implications of the inability to Predict Violence,» Journal of Social Issues, vol. 21, no. 2, 1975, pp. 153 et seq.Google Scholar
The Rt. Hon. The Lord DEVLIN, P.C.: «The Judges’ Role in Sentencing» Howard League for Penal Reform, 1975.Google Scholar
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M. Jean, LECANUET: The Times, 1st August 1974.Google Scholar
D. J., WEST: Who Becomes Delinquent, 1970.Google Scholar
Nils, CHRISTIE: The Delinquent Stereotype and Stigmatisation, Report of the First Section. 7th International Congress on Criminology, Belgrade, 1973.Google Scholar
B., WOOTTON: Crime and the Criminal Law, Reflections of a Magistrate and Social Scientist, The Hamlyn Lectures, 1963.Google Scholar
N., MORRIS and G., HAWKINS: The Honest Politician's Guide to Crime Control, 1970.Google Scholar
N., MORRIS: «Some problems in the Evolution of Prison» in Modern Advances in Criminology. The Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto. 1964-65, pp. 18–19.Google Scholar
I., DRAPKIN and E., VIANO: eds. five volumes under the general title Victimology: A New Focus, 1975.Google Scholar
M.Q., WARREN: «Classification of offenders as an Aid to Efficient Management and Effective Treatment.» Vol. 62, No 2, The Jo. of Crim. Law, Criminology, and Pol. Sc., pp. 239 et seq.Google Scholar
R., CROSS: Punishment, Prison and the Public, The Hamlyn Lectures, 1971.Google Scholar
American Friends. Service Committees, Struggle for Justice, 1971.Google Scholar
The Academy for Contemporary Problems, Columbus, Ohio, Towards a New Correctional Policy. Two Declarations of Principle. Crime and Justice Series. N° 2, 1974.Google Scholar
E. M., SCHUR: Radical Non-Intervention: Re-thinking the delinquency problem, 1973.Google Scholar
A., RUTHERFORD: The Dissolution of the Training Schools in Massachusetts, The Academy for Contemporary Problems, Columbus, Ohio, Crime and Justice Series, No 1, 1974, (reprinted in part in vol. LIV No 1, The Prison Journal, The Pennsylvania Prison Society, Spring-Summer, 1974.)Google Scholar
I., TAYLOR, P., WALTON, J., YOUNG: The New Criminology, 1973.Google Scholar
I., TAYLOR, P., WALTON, J., YOUNG: (eds) Critical Criminology, 1975.Google Scholar
Nigel D., WALKER: «Lost Causes in Criminology» in Roger Hood. ed. Crime, Criminology and Public Policy, Essays in Honor of Sir Leon Radzinowicz, 1974, pp. 47–62.Google Scholar
D., SZABO: Review Article «Some Thoughts on the New Criminology» Jo. crim. Lo. and Criminology, 1975, vol. 65, No 4, pp. 554 et seq.Google Scholar
M., LOPEZ-REY: «Criminological Manifesto,» Federal Probation Quarterly, September 1975.Google Scholar
Leon, RADZINOWICZ and J.F.S., KING: «Concepts of crime» The Times Literary Supplemant, September 26, 1975.Google Scholar
BOTTOM LEY, A.K.: Decisions in the Penal Process, 1973.Google Scholar
J. E., HALL-WILLIAMS: Deprivation of Liberty in the Context of Crime Control, with particular reference to New Forms of Delinquency. General Report presented on behalf of the International Society for Criminology, to the Fourth Joint Colloquium held at Bellagio, Italy, April 1975.Google Scholar
HALL WILLIAMS, J.E.: «Myths of criminal Justice» in Crime Myths and Reality, ISTD pamphlet. March 1969.Google Scholar
A Dictionary of the Social Sciences, ed. J., GOULD et W.L., KOLB, 1964Google Scholar
D., MARTIN (ed.): Fifty Key Words: Sociology, 1970.Google Scholar
Leslie T., WILKINS: Social Deviance, 1964.Google Scholar
A. K., BOTTOMLEY: Decisions in the Penal Process, 1973.Google Scholar
J., ANDENAES: «General Prevention Revisited: Research and Policy Implications», J.o. of Crim. Lo. and criminology, 1975, vol. 66, No 3, pp. 338 et seq.Google Scholar
HALL WILLIAMS, J.E.: The English Penal System in Transition, 1970.Google Scholar
H.L.A., HART: Punishment and Responsibility, 1968.Google Scholar
Nigel, WALKER: Sentencing in a rational Society, 1969.Google Scholar
Barbara, WOOTON: Crime and the Criminal Law; reflections of a Magistrate and Social Scientist.Google Scholar
Lord, FOOT: House of Lords, Deb. 1970, Vol. 313, col. 551-3, 2nd December 1970, at col. 552.Google Scholar
McKENNA, Sir Brian: «The Judge and the Common Man,» 32 Modern Law Review, 601, at 609.Google Scholar
J., ANDENAES: Punishment and Deterrence, 1974.Google Scholar
F.E., ZIMRING and C.J., HAWKINS: Deterrence: «The legal Threat in Crime Control 1973.»Google Scholar
E., BAXTER and C., NUTTALL: «Severe Sentences: No Deterrent to Crime?» New Society No 639 2nd January 1975.Google Scholar
D.A., THOMAS: Principles of Sentencing, 1970.Google Scholar
N.I.M.H. Crime and Delinquency Issues: F.E., ZIMRING, Perspectives on Deterrence, 1971.Google Scholar
L. J., BLOM-COOPER: ed. Progress in Penal Reform, 1974, p. 174 «Sentencing structure: a paradigm for the future.»Google Scholar
McKENNA, Sir Brian: ibid. p. 182, «General Deterrence.»Google Scholar
Lord Justice SCARMAN: «Control of Sentencing: the balance between the judge and the executive,» Howard League for Penal Reform, 1974.Google Scholar
H., STEADMAN and A., HALFON: «The Baxstrom Patients: Background and outcomes» in Seminars in Psychiatry, 1971, pp. 371 et seq.Google Scholar
S.A., SHAH: «Dangerousness and civil commitment of the mentally ill: some public policy considerations.» Vol. 132, N° 5 American journal of Psychiatry, pp. 501 et seq.Google Scholar
B. L., DIAMOND: «The psychiatric prediction of dangerousness,» vol. 123 no. 2, Univ. of Pennsylvania Law Rev., 1974, pp. 439 et seq.Google Scholar
P.D., SCOTT: «Solutions to the problem of the dangerous offender» British medical Journal, 1974, pp. 640–641.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
J., MONAHAN and L., CUMININGS: «Social Policy Implications of the inability to Predict Violence,» Journal of Social Issues, vol. 21, no. 2, 1975, pp. 153 et seq.Google Scholar
The Rt. Hon. The Lord DEVLIN, P.C.: «The Judges’ Role in Sentencing» Howard League for Penal Reform, 1975.Google Scholar
Lord Justice, LAWTON: The Riddell Lecture, The Institute of Legal Executives, 1975. The The Times, 7th October 1975.Google Scholar
Whose Discretion, The Annual Report of the Howard League for Penal Reform, 1975, The Times, 7th October 1975.Google Scholar
Diversion from Criminal Justice, in an English context, NACRO, 1975, The Times, 31st October 1975.Google Scholar
Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH: House of Lords Deb. H.L. Deb., 1974, vol. col., June 13th, 1974.Google Scholar
(U.S.) President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, The Challenge of crime in a Free Society, 1967.Google Scholar
K.C., DAVIS: Discretionary Justice, 1969.Google Scholar
(U.S.) National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals, Advisory Task Force on Information Systems and Statistics, Criminal Justice System, 1973.Google Scholar
O'LEARY, V. and D.J., NEWHAM: «Conflct Resolution in Criminal Justice» Jo. Research in Crime and Delinquency, vol. 7, pp. 99 et seq. 1970.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McGEE, Richard: «A New Look at Sentencing,» Federal Probation, vol. XXXVII, No 2, p. 7, June 1974.Google Scholar
Ronald J., WALDON: «System Approach to Correctional Institutions,» Federal Probation, vol. XXXVIII. No 1. pp. 51 et seq, March 1974.Google Scholar
Alvin W., COHN: «Training in the Criminal Justice Nonsystem,» Federal Probation, vol. XXXVIII, No 1, pp. 32 et seq. March 1974.Google Scholar
Lord Elwyn, JONES, Lord Chancellor: The Daily Telegraph, 9th July 1975; The Times, 9th November 1975, The Times, 8th November 1975.Google Scholar
Sir Robert, MARK, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: The Times, 7th November 1975.Google Scholar
Chief Supt. Robert, TAYLOR: The Police Superintendent's Association of England and Wales, The Times, 1st October 1975.Google Scholar
M. Leslie, MALE: The Police Federation.Google Scholar
M. Jean, TAITTINGER: The Times, 26th September 1973.Google Scholar
M. Jean, LECANUET: The Times, 1st August 1974.Google Scholar
D. J., WEST: Who Becomes Delinquent, 1970.Google Scholar
Nils, CHRISTIE: The Delinquent Stereotype and Stigmatisation, Report of the First Section. 7th International Congress on Criminology, Belgrade, 1973.Google Scholar
B., WOOTTON: Crime and the Criminal Law, Reflections of a Magistrate and Social Scientist, The Hamlyn Lectures, 1963.Google Scholar
N., MORRIS and G., HAWKINS: The Honest Politician's Guide to Crime Control, 1970.Google Scholar
N., MORRIS: «Some problems in the Evolution of Prison» in Modern Advances in Criminology. The Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto. 1964-65, pp. 18–19.Google Scholar
I., DRAPKIN and E., VIANO: eds. five volumes under the general title Victimology: A New Focus, 1975.Google Scholar
M.Q., WARREN: «Classification of offenders as an Aid to Efficient Management and Effective Treatment.» Vol. 62, No 2, The Jo. of Crim. Law, Criminology, and Pol. Sc., pp. 239 et seq.Google Scholar
R., CROSS: Punishment, Prison and the Public, The Hamlyn Lectures, 1971.Google Scholar
American Friends. Service Committees, Struggle for Justice, 1971.Google Scholar
The Academy for Contemporary Problems, Columbus, Ohio, Towards a New Correctional Policy. Two Declarations of Principle. Crime and Justice Series. N° 2, 1974.Google Scholar
E. M., SCHUR: Radical Non-Intervention: Re-thinking the delinquency problem, 1973.Google Scholar
A., RUTHERFORD: The Dissolution of the Training Schools in Massachusetts, The Academy for Contemporary Problems, Columbus, Ohio, Crime and Justice Series, No 1, 1974, (reprinted in part in vol. LIV No 1, The Prison Journal, The Pennsylvania Prison Society, Spring-Summer, 1974.)Google Scholar
I., TAYLOR, P., WALTON, J., YOUNG: The New Criminology, 1973.Google Scholar
I., TAYLOR, P., WALTON, J., YOUNG: (eds) Critical Criminology, 1975.Google Scholar
Nigel D., WALKER: «Lost Causes in Criminology» in Roger Hood. ed. Crime, Criminology and Public Policy, Essays in Honor of Sir Leon Radzinowicz, 1974, pp. 47–62.Google Scholar
D., SZABO: Review Article «Some Thoughts on the New Criminology» Jo. crim. Lo. and Criminology, 1975, vol. 65, No 4, pp. 554 et seq.Google Scholar
M., LOPEZ-REY: «Criminological Manifesto,» Federal Probation Quarterly, September 1975.Google Scholar
Leon, RADZINOWICZ and J.F.S., KING: «Concepts of crime» The Times Literary Supplemant, September 26, 1975.Google Scholar
BOTTOM LEY, A.K.: Decisions in the Penal Process, 1973.Google Scholar
J. E., HALL-WILLIAMS: Deprivation of Liberty in the Context of Crime Control, with particular reference to New Forms of Delinquency. General Report presented on behalf of the International Society for Criminology, to the Fourth Joint Colloquium held at Bellagio, Italy, April 1975.Google Scholar