Learning Aim B - Investigate punishment
strategies and behaviour modification of criminal
behaviour.
P3 P4 M2 D2
By Allister Wray …. = references
,B1 - Punishing criminal behaviour
, ● Why were the Krays imprisoned?
Imprisonment - P3 The Kray twins were both imprisoned for numerous offences, such as armed robbery, protection rackets, hijackings, arson, murder.
For example: “In March 1969, after an epic trial at the Old Bailey, they were jailed for life for the murders of George Cornell and
Jack 'The Hat' McVitie” (TheTelegraph. 2015).
● For how long?
The Kray Twins were sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 30 years before consideration for parole.
● Where were they imprisoned?
Ronnie Kray was imprisoned at Broadmoor, which was a secure hospital. Whereas, Reggie Kray was imprisoned at Wayland
Case Study: The Kray Twins (Punishment) Prison.
“The Krays were sentenced in 1969 to life imprisonment, ● What would the aim of imprisonment be for the Krays - was it incapacitation or rehabilitation?
with a minimum of 30 years before consideration for
parole (the longest sentences every given for murder at The aim for the Krays imprisonment was incapacitation.
the Central Criminal Court)” (Flanagan, C. 2019). As a
● What type of operant conditioning is used to reduce criminal behaviour?
Category A prisoner, Ronnie Kray was denied many
everyday freedoms such as socialising with other Negative punishment is used to reduce criminal behaviour, in cases of incapacitation, which involves either imposing something
prisoners. He was transferred to a secure hospital undesirable or taking away a positive stimulus to weaken or eliminate a behavior. Thus, the removal of their freedom would act as a
deterrent for future criminality.
(Broadmoor) and died in 1995 without being released.
Reggie was released on compassionate grounds and ● They were imprisoned multiple times. Did imprisonment act as an individual deterrent for the Krays? If they had been
died of cancer in 2000. released would they have reoffended?
The Kray Twins were imprisoned a multitude of time before there final imprisonment in 1969. This means that for the Kray twins,
prison didn't serve as deterrence as they reoffended. So, having experienced the ‘short, sharp shock’ of prison wasnt enough for the
Kray Twins to stop reoffending.
● Explain how the imprisonment of the Kray twins was a general deterrence to society:
The imprisonment of the Kray Twins was a general deterrence to society as it sent “a message to members of society that crime will
not be tolerated, and an unpleasant consequences of prison is most likely to occur as a result” (Britannica. 2000)
, ● Why was John McVicar imprisoned?
Imprisonment - P4
John McVicar was imprisoned for armed robbery in 1970.
● For how long?
“He was sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment in 1970” (Hill, Gareth.
2014)
● What would the aim of imprisonment be for McVicar
- was it incapacitation or rehabilitation?
The aim of the imprisonment for McVicar was rehabilitation.
● What type of operant conditioning is used to reduce
Case Study: John McVicar (Rehabilitation) criminal behaviour through rehabilitation? Give
examples of how McVicar was able to improve his life
John McVicar was an armed robber (‘Britain’s Most Wanted). “He
through being imprisoned.
was sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment in 1970, having already
escaped from prison twice” (Hill, Gareth. 2014). He took
Negative reinforcement is used to reduce criminal behaviour, in cases of
advantage of the educational opportunities offered to him in
rehabilitation, which involves the removal of a negative stimuli to strengthen
prison by earning three A levels and a sociology degree. He was
a behaviour. In McVicar case, the removal of the negative stimuli allowed
released on parole in 1978 and eventually became a writer,
him to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered within prison.
journalist and sociologist.
This allowed him to earn three A-Levels and BSc (1st Class) in Sociology.
Due to this, McVicar was able to improve his life through being imprisoned
as after he was released on parole in 1978, he became a writer, journalist
and sociologist.
