Managing Ex-Offenders Threatening Public Officials: Applying Anomie Theory

This essay discusses the application of criminology theories to reduce crime rates and manage ex-offenders who threaten public officials. It focuses on Merton's Anomie theory to understand the root cause of criminal behavior. The essay also evaluates the Rational Choice theory and Personality theory in relation to crime prevention.

MANAGING EX-OFFENDERS WHO THREATEN AND HARASS PUBLIC
OFFICIALS AND HIGH OFFICE HOLDERS, APPLYING THE ANOMIE
THEORY TO THE REDUCTION OF THIS CRIME TYPE.

Introduction
In recent years, crime rates have increased to a significant extent. From sex offences, violent
crimes to robbery, assault to knife crime, the increasing rate and trends of criminal actions have
become a concerning issue. Police, investigators and similar authorities need to make the effort
to control and reduce crime rates. It is true that the police department along with special
investigators take several measures for the purpose. However, it is essential to develop
understanding and insight regarding key reasons and factors which lead to criminal action. In
order to handle the issue in an effective manner, it is essential to understand psychological,
environmental aspects from the criminal perspective. Herein lays the importance of criminology.
The presented essay focuses on criminology and the way it application can facilitate crime
reduction. The chief objective of the essay is to understand the way criminology can be effective
in tackling criminal behaviour and crimes, leading to social safety and security in the process. In
the presented essay, relevant criminology theories are applied to understand and determine the
ways the crime rates can be reduced in an efficient manner. The essay raises and discusses the
issue of ex-offenders threatening police and public officials.
For a better understanding of the contribution of the criminology theories this essay will be
focusing on managing of ex-offenders who have threatened, harassed and often committed gun
crimes against public officials and high office holders. Merton’s Anomie theory has made
considerable contribution towards identifying the reason that plays a major role in the emergence
of such crimes. Merton’s development of the perception of Anomie theory can be related with
cultural and racism issues existing within the society (Antonaccio, Smith&Gostjev, 2015, p.
1100). The threatening and harassing of the public officials and high ranked personnel comes out
of situations when every individual looks forward to attaining of the same goals and objectives
but does not get equal opportunities to fulfill those objectives. In relation to this fact the example
of the Black Americans can be cited. In comparison to the white population the Black Americans
get limited access to proper educational facilities and even if they overcome the obstacles in
attaining a proper education they fail to secure a good job. However it is not that tough for the
white population to obtain a proper job. Merton’s theory identified this lack of equal
opportunities as the basis of deviance from normalness or ethical behavior (Glaser& Strauss,

2017, p. 68). With the help of this particular theory the reason behind the threatening and
harassing of the public officials or high ranked individuals in the selected local area can be
regarded as the inequality of the provision of opportunities to the locals. The high rates of crime
and deviance in the locality with respect to Merton’s theory can be evaluated by presenting two
facts – firstly the selected locality represents a society that emphasizes more on the achievement
of goals instead of focusing on better means for the achievement of the goals and secondly
emphasizing on the achievement of the same goals by the locals without considering the
limitations offered by societal aspects like ethnic, class, race, etc. Merton’s Anomie theory
includes five adaptation modes; the modes are conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and
rebellion (Messner& Rosenfeld, 2017 p, 87). With respect to the issue being discussed in this
essay the second mode that is innovation goes with the discussion of relationship between
deviance and culture. Innovators are referred to as individuals who adopt measures for achieving
the goals by breaking the societal rules. The combination of the social infrastructure and the
cultural pressure produce excessive pressure resulting in deviation. Merton’s Anomie theory
does not present analysis on an individual level but targets societies and groups for the reflection
of deviation at different levels (Stinchcombe, 2017 p, 98). This particular theory has never stated
that all the individuals who have faced certain cultural/ societal conflicts opt for illegal measures.
The mentality behind any crime is not the result of a sudden social change but is the outcome of
a particular society that sets the same goals for all the members (Coser, 2017 p, 31). However,
the theory’s perspective cannot be considered true as all individuals suffering due to social issues
do not avoid crimes. Also, had this been the case, there would have little or no corruption in
higher level political, administrative and other official bodies. An individual having the intention
to commit crime would certainly commit it irrespective of social influence and norm.
As per the approach of routine activity, police officials and special investigators need to consider
aspects to determine and identify crimes. The first and foremost factor which needs attention is
the intention to execute a crime. For understanding the crime in an effective manner, having
insight about the root cause of intention is useful. While trying to have more knowledge about a
criminal, it is necessary to understand the reason which led to offender to commit the action, in
other words reading the potential offender’s psychology is crucial (Newburn, 2017, p. 78).
Various reasons can trigger criminal intention such as poor financial status, physical problems,
disturbed psychological condition due to personal suffering, determination to fulfil the action for

personal gain and so on. The next point is to identify someone or something which can be an
appropriate target. The third point assert that for successful completion of the crime it is essential
to note the absence of a guardian capable of preventing the action. The point can be explained
with the help of suitable examples. The theory asserts that most offenders accused of committing
crimes possess the intention of committing a crime. Without the intention, the accused individual
cannot take further action to execute a crime. For instance, an offender considers harming an
official before taking the step to actualise the thought to take action against the officer. Hence,
the offender forms plan accordingly, such as favorable time for the action. A crowded place with
armed officials in the particular place would be difficult for the individual to take action. The
armed officials would act as guardians capable of protecting the target. Absence of guardians
would enable the offender to perform the crime. On the other aspect, there needs to be a suitable
target. As stated by (Young, 2016 p, 65), offenders usually require scope and appropriate
opportunity to commit the crime. The theory can rightfully criticise Merton’s anomie theory,
stating that the more than society, the offender themselves are responsible for committing
crimes. Society cannot be held solely responsible. However, it is also true that certain extreme
social condition coerces and influence individuals to have little scope to defend and sustain their
livelihood requirements other than taking criminal measures. As its consequence, individuals
tend to develop criminal intentions who begins to search for opportunities to fulfil the illegal
objective.
Rational Choice theory presents a different view, stating that people are responsible for selecting
their own behavior in order to avoid harm and pain and attain pleasure. The individuals are only
responsible for starting and stopping their crime (Hedström& Stern, 2017 p, 77). As per the
theory, offenders try to take advantages or benefits through crime. Offenders try to consider
decisions concerning criminal activities which are logical and rational, considering ability and
time constraints.
Rational Choice theory has many strength points. This theory directly challenges the motivation
level of the people and provides suggestion that certain individuals carry criminal intentions with
respect to the situation and their understanding. This particular theory implements logic rather
than emotion and removes any uncertainty from the perspective of motivation. The theory does
not rely on the concept of abnormality. However the theory is unable to define why the

personality of a person gets inclined towards criminal behavior (Kebede, 2014 p, 123). Moreover
individuals committing crime while knowing that they will be caught red-handed override this
theory. The theory is also unable to identify what aspect motivates people towards committing
crime. The theory cannot specify in what manner society retains the potentiality in creating
criminal intention within individuals. Rational Choice theory has failed to take into consideration
the cultural influences created by crime on the individuals it targets. The drawbacks that are
being identified in case of Rational Choice theory can be seen covered up in case Merton’s
Anomie theory. Anomie theory is capable of defining the influence of societal culture on an
individual (Hirschi, 2017 p, 54). It explains the causes that result in deviance and conducting of
the crime due to societal pressure. The ways in which an individual adapts towards social strain
is rightfully explained by this theory. It can track the reason and motivation behind the increase
in the rate of crimes. Anomie theory is able to state about the extent up to which a society can
influence the creation of criminal intentions as a result of constant pressure. However there are
also certain drawbacks of this particular theory. This theory only explains utilitarian crime, too
deterministic, ignores the power of ruling class for the creation and enforcement of laws, etc. In
this critical evaluation and analysis it can be observed that Merton’s Anomie theory is far more
suitable for dealing with the main issue of this essay than Rational Choice theory. The issue
mentioned in the previous discussion of this essay arises out of societal and cultural differences
and Anomie theory is quite appropriate in pointing out the key aspects associated with the crime
issue being discussed over here (Iannaccone, 2016 p, 121).
According to Wortley &Townsley, (2016 p, 32), considering the approach, the police and special
investigation forces can take certain measures. For instance, the police need to concentrate on
crimes and criminal actions which have occurred repeatedly. Study of intention is helpful to
develop and insight regarding possible areas, tendencies, scopes of crimes. Study and
observation of individual behaviour is necessary to develop an initial understanding about
intention of probable offenders. On the other aspect, the police and investigators need to identify
someone or something which might interest criminals’ attention for committing a crime. For
instance, a valuable, rare objects of importance. In terms of someone as targets, it is
comparatively difficult to determine, however with study of criminal behaviour and motive can
be useful to understand possible targets. Thorough study and analyse of cases are very much
important. It is necessary to state that individuals possessing the capability to prevent criminal

action and protect the ‘targets’ needs to be present. For instance, police patrol, guard, constant
surveillance action and such.
As stated by Newburn (2017 p, 65-67) in the book Criminology 3rd Edition, the Personality
Theory is considered one of the major relevant theories of crime. It is important to note that the
author emphasised on the fact that personality largely influences crime. According to this theory
crime is considered the result of defective, deviant or unsound personality. The common
examples of crime which relates to deviant personality traits include impulsiveness, hostility et
cetera. It is extremely important to note that most of the criminal activities happen due to the
urge of taking revenge, aggression and vengeful behavior. In spite of such relevance of
personality with crime it could be said that a particular school of thought believe personality is a
mere attribute and nothing else (Coser, 2017 p, 87). Critical concerns about personality and its
relation to crime is pretty clear because over the years there have been crimes mainly influenced
by personality. The personality theory is largely related to the psychoanalytic theory as well
which shows first the intention of crime emerges in the mind and naturally the criminal behavior
takes hold of the character. The psychoanalytic theory generally discusses the reasons why a
person is forced to commit a crime which could either be due to a horrific past or due to the
compulsion created by vengeance which again connects to the personality theory (Eriksson &
Broidy, 2017 p, 98). Certain personality theorists such as Eysenck highlighted on the fact that
personality traits creep up from biological issues. There have been criticisms on this theory
which clearly shows that there are significant questions on the suitability of this. The biological
deterministic aspect sparked a strong debate over personality factor in criminology. The crux of
the theory is to highlight personality as a huge aspect that influences criminal mindset.
Criminology is a huge subject and it is extremely important to mention that there are several
school of thoughts who posses different ideologies on criminal personality (Hirschi, 2017 p, 54).
Hence it could be said that personality theory is important perspective to assess criminals and
crimes.
Conclusion
From the above discussions it is quite clear that criminology theories play an important role in
understanding and mitigating crimes within a particular region. Many theories have been

proposed so far. Some are of the opinion that criminal intention is an individual response and
responsibility. While other are of the opinion that criminal intentions are the result of the group
influences. In this two theories have been discussed in details in order to understand the
contribution of the theories in proper crime prevention. From the study of Merton’s Anomie
theory, it is concluded that society and cultural play an important role in defining the building up
of criminal intention within an individual. However, on the other hand Rational Choice theory is
of the opinion that individuals do carry some rational decision while committing a crime. But the
latter theory has several loop holes in comparison to the former one. With respect to the scenario
of this essay it has been concluded form the detailed comparison and analysis that Merton’s
Anomie theory is quite sufficient in explaining the intentions behind the mentioned criminal
issue. This understanding will help the police in improving their practice and in handling the
situations before they become quite worse.

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