The document analyzes labeling theory, which proposes that society applies a negative definition to the label "criminal". Howard Becker is considered influential in formulating labeling theory. The label of "criminal" can lead to loss of friends, negative societal views, and difficulty finding employment, potentially pushing an offender into a criminal career. To reduce labeling, the document argues for increasing the use of diversion programs instead of incarceration. Diversion programs are more discrete, can dismiss charges after completion to avoid a criminal record, and are associated with rehabilitation efforts. This may reduce recidivism by lessening the "criminal" label.

1.  
Nancy Button
Governors State University

2.  Analyzes how society
applies a [negative]
definition to the label
“criminal”
 Howard Becker is thought
to be most influential
individual in formulating
the labeling theory
Howard S. Becker

3.  Little to no morals
 Poor character
 Likely to continue committing crime
 Less important than law abiding citizens
 Bad influence

4.  Loss of previous friends
o Leaves offender to turn to other offenders for friendship, a
potential negative influence
 Negative view from society
o Possibility of offender accepting “criminal” label as being true, thus
him or her basing their actions around the label
 Difficulty finding good employment opportunities
o Individual may then turn to crime as a source of money

5. Reduce the amount of offenders labeled as
“criminals” by increasing the use of diversion
programs!

6.  Police, community, or court programs imposed upon an
offender in order to reduce the amount of individuals
within the justice system
o Drug Court
o Counseling
o Rehab

7.  Diversion programs are often much more discrete than
incarceration
 Charges are often dismissed after completion, thus no
criminal records
 Rehabilitation is often associated with diversion programs
 Less likely to lose connection with friends and family
All resulting in a reduction of the label “criminal”

8.  Recidivism is reduced among individuals who participate
in diversion programs
 A study of over 13,000 offenders found that offenders who
participated in a diversion program rather than spent time
jail or prison were about 16% less likely to reoffend
0 20 40 60 80
Incarceration
Diversion Programs
Rates from 2007

9.  The label “criminal” can potentially deepen criminal
behavior or push offenders into a criminal career because
of the negative definition assumed by society
 The solution to this problem is to reduce the amount of
individuals who are labeled as criminals
 Diversion programs relieves an offender from the label of
criminal thus avoiding these negative effects and reducing
recidivism

10.  Allen, H. E., Latessa, E. J., & Ponder, B. S. (2013). Corrections in
America An Introduction. Upper Saddle River: Pearson
Education, Inc.
 Latessa, E. J. (2006). What Works in Reducing Recidivism?
University of St. Thomas Law Journal, 521-534.
 Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T., & Ball, R. A. (2011). Criminological Theory
Context and Consequences. Thousand Oaks: Sage
Publications, Inc.
 Ritzer, G. (2005). Encyclopedia of Social Theory. SAGE
Publications, Inc.