McGarry, Sadhbh
(2022)
The Panic Room: Examining the Construction of Drug Panics
as a Form of Control.
Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
Post-1970, there has been a significant move in the number of people imprisoned for illicit drug
offences. Through the creation of offences as well as an increase in legislative activity, the
sanctions available for a person to receive for an illicit drug offence has increased in severity,
resulting in a more punitive system. The effects of this increase in severity is seen in the US as
the current mass incarceration crisis takes a stronghold in the criminal justice system. The
Republic of Ireland (Ireland) has also witnessed an increase in the number of people imprisoned
in this offence category. In 2022, when this discussion takes place, there are currently 1.22
million people incarcerated in the US. While there has been an apparent decrease in the number
of people incarcerated in the US (Beckett, et al., 2018), this amount of the population is quite
staggering.
Through examining the legislative framework in both Ireland and the US along with data which
shows the results of this legislative activity, this thesis argues that this increase in law has
resulted in an increase in the number of people imprisoned for these offences as well as an
increase in the severity of the response. This increase in law is attributed to the creation of
certain events or acts becoming classified as ‘crime’. The increase in legislative activity in
tandem with further creation of offences is explored as a method of control over the general
population, an area explored by various authors (Foucault, 1975; Hillyard & Tombs, 2007;
Carrier, 2008). Through constructing a ‘drug panic’, a division is created between the law-abiding citizens and those who engage in drug use or supplying these illicit drugs. This thesis
finds that increases in penalty and severity show a harsh response from the criminal justice
system to illicit drug offences in both countries which has only grown over time. This thesis
concludes on the basis that while an analysis has taken place concerning the data made
available by agencies in Ireland and the US, a detailed analysis was not possible as there was
a sufficient lack in the available data. Concluding on this data availability, a transparency
concern is discussed. If the government and associated agencies do not provide data, research
cannot take place. While it is not understood why it may be unavailable, this adds fuel to the
climate of control. If an exact understanding of the way in which these governments use law to
enforce stricter prison systems while not allowing the general population to understand how
these prisons work, the authority of those in power may be questioned, making it harder to
exercise control over those not in power.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(Masters)
|
| Additional Information: |
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice. |
| Keywords: |
panic room; examining; construction; drug panics; form of control; Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Law |
| Item ID: |
19068 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
15 Oct 2024 15:08 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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