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Criminal Justice Theory Analysis
Jason Mc Andrews
March 22nd, 2014
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Dante Penington
Southwestern College of Professional Studies
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PART I
The three sociological theories that equate criminal behavior to social factors in the
environment are the social structure theory, strain theory, and the anomie theory. The social
structure theory equates poverty and income inequality in the United States and abroad to higher
crime rates (Siegel & Worrall, Introduction to Criminal Justice (14th ed.), 2012, p. 100) The
social structure theory suggests poor people are more likely to commit crimes because they are
unable to achieve monetary or social success in any other way (Siegel, Social Structure Theories,
2000). The second sociological theory that equates criminal factors to social factors is the strain
theory. The strain theory occurs in lower- class neighborhoods with the frustration that develops
because legal avenues for success are all but eliminated (Siegel & Worrall, Introduction to
Criminal Justice (14th ed.), 2012, p. 103). The third and final theory that equates criminal
behavior to social factors in the environment is the anomie theory. The pioneering sociologist
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) explained how this theory explained how individuals lose the
ability to tell right from wrong (Siegel & Worrall, Introduction to Criminal Justice (14th ed.),
2012, p. 100). The anomie theory helps explain how people in social situations such as
unemployment and poverty were less likely to achieve financial success. After reviewing the
three sociological theories, it is my opinion that the social structure theory has the largest impact
on criminal behavior within social factors.
PART II
The Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI) compiles an extensive amount of data in
relation to criminal offenses on an annual basis. In the crime report it breaks down the rate,
index, and categories of offenses. The KBI report also highlights the characteristics of both
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victim and suspect, broken down by age and race. The state of Kansas is made up mostly of rural
communities with lower populations. Based on population disparity between rural and urban
areas, crime demographics trend upwards in the heavier populated locations. According to
current data for every 1,000 residents, Wichita, Ks produces a 7.43% higher arrest rate than the
state average of 3.55% (Wichita Crime Rates , 2014).
With research into the community of Wichita, KS the social structure theory is
highlighted within the community of Plainview. The estimated Plainview violent crime rate is
51% higher than the Wichita, KS average and the Wichita, KS average violent crime rate is
116% higher than the Kansas average (Wichita, KS Crime Rates and Statistics , 2014). The
majority of residents in this area are primarily Caucasian, at 39 % with a high school graduation
rate of only 44% which is 40 % lower than the Wichita, KS average (Wichita, KS Crime Rates
and Statistics , 2014).
I have lived and worked in the Wichita, KS community for over a decade and it is clear
that this city is very much divided along socioeconomic borders. The areas of this city that trend
higher with crime rates are those that are away from the more affluent neighborhoods, unlike the
Northeastern parts of the United States where you could only be blocks away from the
underprivileged areas. With income inequality at such a high average in communities such as
Plainview, the city will continue to see higher crime trends. In recent years, the city of Wichita
halted the process of forced busing to integrate schools.
Having divided our city along socioeconomic lines, the social structure theory is
becoming more evident in statistics. The city has lower graduation rates and higher crime rates in
these specific areas and is currently making strides to increase police presence in those areas.
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However, until we fix the areas of underemployment, high school dropouts, and deteriorating
housing there is not much hope. The city has to place a larger emphasis on community policing,
educational programs, and business development in specific areas. Until these areas have the
amount of attention that the violence in downtown receives on the weekends, I don’t believe we
will see positive trends in lower income neighborhoods such as Plainview.
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References
Siegel, L. J. (2000). Social Structure Theories. Belmont : Wadsworth Publishing Co.
Siegel, L. J., & Worrall, J. L. (2012). Introduction to Criminal Justice (14th ed.). Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth:
Linda Ganster.
Wichita Crime Rates . (2014, March 23). Retrieved from Neighborhood Scout :
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ks/wichita/crime/
Wichita, KS Crime Rates and Statistics . (2014). Retrieved from Area Vibes :
http://www.areavibes.com/wichita-ks/neighborhoods/