Crime can be reduced and prevented

  The notion that crime can be reduced and prevented by manipulating pleasure and pain is at the foundation of conservative criminology. It would appear that in pursuit of this notion laws have been adjusted either with respect to the severity of punishment (3 strike laws and mandatory minimum sentencing) or to the certainty of punishment (“zero tolerance” enforcement). Discuss your agreement or disagreement with such adjustments in laws and fully explain the specific formal theoretical basis of your response.