Journal: What is a label
How can labeling affect the criminal path of first-time offenders?
The following is the answer of the above questions
ANSWER
The label theory says that a person with a label could be influence by what label that has
been attached to them in their society. Depending on the label the label can lead to a more
criminal life for the person that is carrying the label. What a label can do it will cause the person
to be forced to be around others that have been label as well and because of this association the
person will tend to increase their criminal activity.
When it comes to the paths of first-time offender, I believe that the person path will all be
determined on how they will view themselves although the label does increase the chances of
subsequent criminal behavior the individual does not have to conform to label. There are plenty
of people that is living in society that have been labeled by past criminal activity and they have
not allowed such a label to dictate their paths.
What diversion strategies could be used as alternatives for first-time offenders?
The diversion strategies that could be used as alternatives for first time offenders is that
instead of placing these offenders in jail or labeling them because of a low-level crime. I think
that each state should go over their laws and make a determine on what could be given just a fine
to pay instead of prosecution. Another strategy is that could be used for a first-time offender is
that they are given the opportunity to complete a program and at the time of completion the
charges will be thrown out and there would be no criminal record.
Reference:
Labeling and intergenerational transmission of crime: The interaction between criminal
justice intervention and a convicted parent. (2020, July 4). PubMed Central (PMC).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5342201/#:%7E:text=First%2C%20being
%20labeled%20might%20increase, will%20amplify%20their%20offending%20behavior.