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<p><amp-youtube layout="responsive" width="1080" height="608" data-videoid="zHuEUmMRcLQ" title="Classification of Criminals | Enrico Feri"><a placeholder href="https://youtu.be/zHuEUmMRcLQ"><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zHuEUmMRcLQ/hqdefault.jpg" layout="fill" object-fit="cover" alt="Classification of Criminals | Enrico Feri"></a></amp-youtube></p>
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<p><a href="https://youtu.be/zHuEUmMRcLQ">Enrico Ferri’s Classification of Criminals</a></p>
<p>Enrico Ferri was an important Italian thinker in the field of criminology, which is the study of crime and criminals. He was a student of Cesare Lombroso, who believed that criminals were born with certain physical traits. But Ferri took Lombroso’s ideas even further and added new dimensions to the study of crime. Instead of focusing only on biology, Ferri believed that crime was a result of many different factors working together. He thought that it was important to look at the environment people live in, their mental state, their upbringing, and the social conditions around them. Ferri wanted to use science to understand crime better and help society deal with it more wisely and fairly.</p>
<p>One of Ferri’s biggest contributions was his classification of criminals. He believed that not all criminals are the same, and therefore they should not be treated in the same way. He thought that in order to reduce crime, we first need to understand the different types of criminals and the reasons behind their actions. So, he divided criminals into five major categories based on their personality, motivation, and social conditions. This helped to understand crime in a more complete and human way.</p>
<p>The first group in Ferri’s classification is called the “born criminal.” These are people who Ferri believed have inherited certain traits or mental conditions that make them more likely to commit crimes. He agreed with Lombroso on this point, that some people are simply born with natural tendencies that lead them toward crime. These individuals may have issues with impulse control, empathy, or judgment. Ferri said these types of criminals might not respond well to normal punishments and may need special treatment, such as supervision or even being kept away from society for safety.</p>
<p>The second group Ferri talked about is the “insane criminal.” These are people who commit crimes because of mental illness or psychological problems. They may not fully understand right from wrong or may be controlled by voices, hallucinations, or extreme emotions. Ferri believed that these individuals should not be punished like regular criminals. Instead, they should be treated in hospitals or mental health institutions, because their actions were not always made with clear intention or awareness.</p>
<p>The third group is the “passionate criminal.” These are people who commit crimes in moments of strong emotion, such as anger, jealousy, love, or revenge. For example, a person who harms someone after finding out about a betrayal may fall into this category. Ferri believed that these crimes are not planned and do not happen because the person is evil or bad, but rather because they were overwhelmed by their feelings. These people often show regret afterward and are unlikely to commit another crime. Ferri thought they should be given more understanding and less harsh punishment, and society should work on helping people manage their emotions better.</p>
<p>The fourth group is the “occasional criminal.” These are people who are generally law-abiding but commit crimes because of their situation. They might steal food because they are hungry, or break a law during a moment of desperation. These crimes happen not because of the person’s nature, but because of social or economic pressure. Ferri believed that the best way to prevent this kind of crime is to improve social conditions, reduce poverty, create jobs, and offer education. He said that if people had better opportunities and support, they would be less likely to break the law.</p>
<p>The fifth and final group is the “habitual criminal.” These are people who commit crimes over and over again. They may start with small offenses and over time become involved in more serious crimes. Some of them grow up in criminal environments, and crime becomes a way of life for them. Ferri believed that this group was very dangerous because they often do not feel remorse and can influence others to commit crimes too. He suggested strict supervision and long-term control of such people, along with efforts to break their cycle of crime through rehabilitation and education.</p>
<p>Ferri’s classification of criminals was important because it showed that people commit crimes for different reasons. Not everyone who breaks the law is evil or beyond help. Some need mental health care, others need support and better living conditions, and some need to learn better ways to deal with emotions. Ferri believed that the justice system should take all of this into account and treat each case with care and fairness. He wanted to create a system that focuses not only on punishment but also on prevention and healing.</p>
<p>Ferri’s ideas helped change the way society looks at crime. He believed that crime is not just a personal problem, but a social one. If people grow up in poor conditions, without proper education, without jobs or support, then crime becomes more likely. So, if we want to reduce crime, we should work to fix those social problems. That means building better schools, creating job opportunities, treating mental health issues, and making sure people feel safe and supported in their communities.</p>
<p>He also believed that the justice system should use scientific methods to understand criminals. That means studying psychology, biology, and sociology. It means collecting data, looking at patterns, and asking questions like: Why did this person commit a crime? What can we do to help them change? How can we stop others from going down the same path?</p>
<p>Even though Ferri lived more than a hundred years ago, many of his ideas still influence modern criminology. Today, we know that crime is not caused by just one thing. It can be influenced by mental health, childhood experiences, family background, economic conditions, and even peer pressure. Ferri’s approach helps us see the human side of crime and look for real solutions instead of just locking people up and forgetting about them.</p>
<p>His work also reminds us to be kind and thoughtful when we talk about crime. It is easy to judge people without knowing their story. But Ferri taught us that if we take the time to understand why people do what they do, we can help them change and build a safer, more just society for everyone.</p>
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<p><img class="alignnone wp-image-2812" src="https://sociologylearners.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Khushdil-Khan-Kasi-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="160" /></p>
<p><strong>By Khushdil Khan Kasi</strong></p>
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