Criminal Lawstudent’s Name Research Paper Samples

Question 1: Stockholm Syndrome

Some of the more famous cases of Stockholm syndrome in history include Patricia Hearst in 1974, Colleen Stan in 1977 and Elizabeth Smart 2003. While Elizabeth Smart was only abducted, Patricia Hearst and Colleen Stan were abducted, beaten, tortured and raped.

Reviewing the Affects the Syndrome Had On the Overall Resolution of Each Hostage Event

Generally, the effects of the Stockholm syndrome had the victims assume a friendlier and collaborative predisposition and mindset toward their abductors and oppressors. For instance, in the case of Elizabeth Smart, the victim moved freely with her captors and failed to escape of shout for help from strangers even when convenient opportunities availed themselves. Stan was occasionally permitted to leave the abductors and to visit her family. She never reported any cases of rape against her throughout the seven year ordeal. Patricia Hearst became sympathetic to the cause of her abductors, the Symbionese Liberation Army and even helped them commit bank robberies (Carlson & Garrett, 2013).

Whether The Syndrome Helped or Worsened the Overall Situation Worse

In all the three cases, the syndrome worsened the situation by derailing the law enforcement agencies. For instance, in Colleen Stan’s case, she never reported her rape and abduction to her parents or police even when she was allowed trips to her family. Elizabeth Smart never called for help even in situations that were appropriate. Hearst involved herself in crime together with her captors in her own volition (Parker, 2006).

How Might Training on How to Deal With the Stockholm syndrome

In order to help those who may become potential hostages (i.e. correctional workers) avoid falling victim to it if they are ever taken hostage, it is important that the public is helped to understand and deal with Stockholm syndrome. This is because the training will help detect: cases of Stockholm syndrome victim; the most effective way of helping the victim; and how to internally maintain her compunctions towards her captors’ deeds.

Question 2

Again, from a personal standpoint, unarming the police is not only counterproductive to the keeping of peace, law and order, but also places the officers in harm’s way. This is because violent crime has become preponderant, ubiquitous and spontaneous. The fact that some of these police officers may be uniformed is a serious cause of risk. This is because, an armed criminal is poised to panic and fire at the police, upon seeing him in the scene of crime. It is for this reason that several police officers such as Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes lost their lives in the line of duty. Considering the control of traffic as isolated to the traffic is rather narrow in this consideration. An armed criminal will not take lightly the presence of a police officer across the road when committing crime.

References

Carlson, P. M. & Garrett, S. J. (2013). Prison and Jail Administration: Practice and Theory. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Parker, M. (2006). Stockholm Syndrome. Management Learning, 37 (1), 39 – 41.