Crime & Punishment

Crime and punishment is a perennial IELTS topic. Writing Task 2 questions often ask about the causes of crime, the effectiveness of different punishments, and whether rehabilitation is more effective than incarceration. This lesson equips you with the vocabulary to discuss these issues with confidence and nuance.

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Core Vocabulary

Types of Crime

Word / Phrase	Definition	Example
petty crime	Minor offences (shoplifting, vandalism)	Petty crime is often linked to poverty and social deprivation.
serious/violent crime	Major offences involving harm (assault, murder)	Rates of violent crime have declined in many developed countries.
white-collar crime	Non-violent crime committed in a professional context (fraud, embezzlement)	White-collar crime often goes unpunished due to the complexity of financial regulations.
cybercrime	Criminal activity carried out using computers or the internet	Cybercrime costs the global economy billions of dollars each year.
juvenile crime	Offences committed by young people under 18	Juvenile crime is often a symptom of deeper social problems.
recidivism	The tendency to reoffend after being punished	High rates of recidivism suggest that the current prison system is failing.
organised crime	Structured criminal enterprises (drug trafficking, money laundering)	Organised crime networks operate across international borders.
antisocial behaviour	Actions that cause harm or distress to others (but may not be criminal)	Antisocial behaviour in public spaces has become a growing concern.

The Justice System

Word / Phrase	Definition	Example
the judiciary	The system of courts and judges	An independent judiciary is essential for upholding the rule of law.
prosecution	The legal process of charging someone with a crime	The prosecution presented compelling evidence against the defendant.
defendant	The person accused of a crime	The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
verdict	The decision of a court (guilty or not guilty)	The jury delivered a unanimous verdict of guilty.
sentence (n./v.)	The punishment given by a court / to impose a punishment	The judge sentenced the offender to five years in prison.
acquit (v.)	To find not guilty	The defendant was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
parole	Supervised release from prison before the end of a sentence	The prisoner was released on parole after serving half of her sentence.
law enforcement	The activity of ensuring people obey the law (police, etc.)	Effective law enforcement is crucial for maintaining public safety.

Punishment and Rehabilitation