Reintegrative shaming: Informal means of formal social control of crime

Abstract

Social control includes all social processes, institutions and methods that produce conformity or regulate the individual and collective conduct of its members. Most of the authors distinguish between informal and formal means of social control. The informal means of social control grow themselves in society, and are considered very powerful, especialy in primary groups. Both, formal and informal modes of social control are important for deterrence of crime. Some authors argue that interaction of formal and informal modes of social control has much stronger deterrent effect on crime than if considered in isolation. John Braithwaite's theory of reintegrative shaming was presented in this article. Although many argue that reduction of recidivism is not primary aim of reintegrative shaming, results of some research indicate that properly designed and implemented procedures can lower the rate of reoffending. This paper analysis the relationship between informal social control and punishment as a means of formal social control of crime. It was also emphasised the importance and discussed perspective of the use of reintegrative shaming as a informal means in function of formal social control of crime. The author concludes that reintegrative shaming and related restorative processes present very alluring challenge for the criminal justice practice.