Crime & Justice Vocabulary

The number of crimes committed per unit of population in a given area over a specific time period

“Urban areas typically record higher crime rates than rural communities.”

The process of helping offenders reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending

“Critics of harsh sentencing argue that rehabilitation is more effective than punishment in reducing reoffending.”

The use of punishment or the threat of punishment to discourage criminal behaviour

“The effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrence remains hotly debated.”

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend after serving a sentence

“Countries with strong rehabilitation programmes consistently report lower recidivism rates.”

Non-violent crime committed for financial gain, typically by business professionals or those in positions of trust

“White-collar crime costs economies more annually than street crime, yet attracts less media attention.”

Criminal or antisocial behaviour by young people below the legal age of adult criminal responsibility

“Poverty and family instability are strongly associated with juvenile delinquency.”

The legally authorised killing of a person as a punishment for a serious crime; the death penalty

“Amnesty International campaigns for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide.”

An approach to criminal justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused to victims and communities rather than simply punishing offenders

“Restorative justice programmes have shown promise in reducing youth reoffending.”

Criminal activity carried out using computers or the internet

“Cybercrime has grown exponentially as more financial transactions move online.”

Social and economic forces — such as poverty, education, and employment — that influence outcomes or behaviour

“Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in determining an individual's likelihood of involvement in crime.”

Coordinated criminal activity carried out by structured networks of individuals for financial gain

“Organised crime networks exploit weak border controls to traffic drugs and people.”

Fixed minimum sentences required by law for specific offences, removing judicial discretion

“Critics of mandatory sentencing argue it prevents judges from considering individual circumstances.”

The set of institutions, laws, and practices through which a society punishes criminal behaviour

“A penal system focused solely on punishment fails to address the root causes of crime.”

The legal principle that an accused person is considered innocent until proven guilty

“Media coverage of high-profile cases can undermine the presumption of innocence.”

The process by which behaviours are turned into criminal offences through legislation, or the societal tendency to treat individuals as criminals

“The criminalisation of drug possession has been criticised for targeting the poor and marginalised.”