Criminology, Penology and Victimology
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya · LL.B. Semester 5 · LAIETT1N
Unit I — Foundations of Criminology
Meaning and Scope of Criminology · Interdisciplinary nature of Criminology: Relationship with Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, and Law · Crime: Legal and sociological definitions; Essential elements of crime · Types of crime: Conventional, White-collar, Cyber, Organized · Causes and consequences of crime in India · Relevance of criminology in modern criminal justice policies
Unit II — Criminological Thought — Schools and Theories of Crime Causation
Historical evolution of criminological thought and the emergence of criminology as a discipline · Pre-Classical School: Supernatural explanation of crime (Demonology) · Classical School: Free will, deterrence, and proportionate punishment (Bentham, Beccaria) · Neo-Classical School: Incorporation of mitigating factors (age, mental condition, etc.) · Positivist School: Scientific approach to studying criminals · Biological Theories: Cesare Lombroso (born criminal), Enrico Ferri, Raffaele Garofalo · Psychological Theories: Mental disorders, personality traits, intelligence and crime · Sociological and Socio-cultural Theories · Culture Conflict Theory (Thorsten Sellin) · Differential Association Theory (E.H. Sutherland) · Social Learning Theory · Labeling Theory (Becker, Lemert) · Strain and Anomie Theories · Control Theories · Other Schools and Approaches: Clinical, Geographical, Psychological, and Socialist Schools · Application of theories to understand real-world crime patterns
- The Schools of Criminology Pre-classical School of Criminology The Classical School Neo-classical school Positive School Cartographic School Clinical School of Criminology Sociological School of Criminology Socialist School of Criminology
- Causes of Criminal Behaviors Heredity and Crime Bio-physical factors and criminality
Unit III — Socio-Economic and Environmental Factors of Crime
Influence of Family, Home, and Community · Urbanization and Rural-Urban Crime Divide · Poverty, Unemployment, and Economic Deprivation · Substance Abuse: Role of Drugs and Alcohol · Communal Riots and Hate Crimes: Causes and Consequences
Unit IV — Penal System and Theories of Punishment
Meaning and Objectives of Punishment · Concept of punishment as a tool of social control · Purposes: retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, reformation, and restitution · Historical evolution of punishment systems · Theories of Punishment · Retributive Theory: Punishment as moral vengeance — "an eye for an eye" · Deterrent Theory: Preventing crime through fear of consequences · Preventive (Incapacitation) Theory: Disabling the offender from repeating the offence · Reformative Theory: Changing the offender’s mindset through rehabilitation · Types of Punishment under the Indian Penal System · Fine: Monetary penalty imposed by court · Simple Imprisonment: Confinement without hard labour · Rigorous Imprisonment: Confinement with hard labour · Life Imprisonment: Incarceration for the remainder of the natural life · Capital Punishment: Death penalty — scope, procedure, and debates (e.g., rarest of rare doctrine) · Contemporary Issues and Debates · Human rights concerns and evolving standards of punishment · Role of judiciary in balancing punishment and reform · Shift towards restorative justice models
Unit V — Police and Prison Administration
Police System · Role, powers, and responsibilities of the police · Recommendations of the National Police Commission · Malimath Committee Report on criminal justice reforms · Contemporary challenges: accountability, reforms, and modernization · Prison System · Historical evolution of prisons in India · Objectives and types of prisons: central, district, open, etc. · Prison administration: work, education, and correctional programs · Role of open jails and prison schools in reformation · Rights of prisoners and contribution of judiciary through landmark cases
Unit VI — Correctional Methods: Probation and Parole
Meaning, Nature, and Objectives of Probation and Parole · Legal Provisions in India · Distinction between Probation and Parole · Role and Duties of Probation Officers · Authority and Supervision in Granting Parole · Challenges of Rehabilitation · Social Attitudes towards Released Offenders
Unit VII — Victimology
Concept and Scope of Victimology · Meaning and definition of victimology · Nature, scope, and objectives as a branch of criminology · Relevance of victimological study in the criminal justice system · Classification of Victims · Primary, secondary, and tertiary victims · Direct and indirect victimization · Theories of Victimization · Victim Precipitation Theory · Lifestyle and Routine Activity Theory · Victim Typologies (e.g., Mendelsohn, von Hentig) · Legal Rights and Remedies for Victims in India · Right to compensation, protection, and participation in proceedings · Relevant provisions under BNSS (Sections 396) · Victim Compensation Schemes and role of Legal Services Authorities