Question

how does social control theory apply to the criminal justice system?

Answer 1

Social control theory proposes that people's relationships, commitments, values, norms, and beliefs encourage them not to break the law. Thus, if moral codes are internalized and individuals are tied into and have a stake in their wider community, they will voluntarily limit their propensity to commit deviant acts.

It has four elements: (1) attachment, (2) commitment, (3) involvement (4) beliefs.

It is necessary for every society or group to maintain its social order and this is possible only when its members behave in accordance with that social order. An important objective of social control is to maintain the old order. Family helps in the realization of this objective.

The influence of social control theory on actual crime control policy has been less impressive. Social control theories do not support expansion of the criminal justice system.It assumes that the impulse to commit crime is resisted because of the costs associated with such behavior.