In the late 1980's, discussing the psychoanalytic theory of crime was considered old-fashioned. However, in recent years a psychosocial strand has emerged, exploring concepts such as fear of crime through analysis of individual biographies and Freudian perspective on punishment. This article begins by considering how a psychosocial perspective might be developed further by studying other key criminological concepts. It considers whether such an approach can extend beyond individual biographies of offenders or victims, thereby providing an understanding of processes and systems of criminalization and conflict. A distinction is made and maintained between psychoanalysis as a practice and a psychodynamic perspective that adapts the theories that followed Freud, specifically those of Klein and object relations. Klein's theory is reviewed and its implications for its alternative views of conscience are discussed. Psychodynamic ideas can assist in examining the processes of criminalizations, examining violent institutions and the prevasiveness of retribution and punitiveness. References