3.1 Flashcards
aims and objectives of the police in social control
- protect the public and protect by preventing, detecting and investigating crime, all of this done with the aim of bringing offenders to justice and keeping law and order.
- do this by patrolling the area, responding to emergency calls, apprehending suspects and gathering evidence from scenes and witnesses.
- they are granted powers to do this by the police and criminal evidence act 1984, e.g, to arrest, stop and search and detention.
(allows them to maintain social control as they can quickly and efficiently deal with crime so that potential criminals are generally deterred)
philosophy of police
- first police force set up by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 with the philosophy that the police should impartially serve the law whilst maintaining public respect.
- this feeds into the modern philosophy of the police today
(this ensures social control is achieved as public confidence is maintained so more people willingly report crime, further victims prevented)
funding of police
- largely funded by central gov.
- in year 2023-2024, they received just over £17,000 million funding in england and wales.
- some of their funding is also received through local council tax and charging for private events such as football matches.
(causes social control as policing and crime prevention can be funded for to support them in their role. However, recent cuts to funding may limit the police in achieving social control due to lack of funding)
working practices of the police
- police is divided into 43 regional police forces in England and wales, e.g. Kent (39 eng, 4 wales), giving them regional and local reach.
- each force has officers working in patrol and general duties, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, however, many police officers opt for more socialised roles such as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and firearms.
- (allows the police to maintain social control as not only are they based across the country, helping them attend crime scenes quickly, but they also have specialised training to deal with specific types of crime which can sometimes be complex)
what are the aims and objectives of the CPS?
- main prosecutor in england and wales, set up in 1986 under the prosecution of offences Act (1985)
- prepare the case for court and attend hearing to conduct the prosecution on behalf of the crown.
- help maintain social control as they prevent bias in prosecution since taking over the role of the police for most offences.
- they advise the police in investigations and lines of enquiry and decide whether to prosecute and what changes should be brought. They do this all independently with impartiality.
what’s the philosophy of the CPS?
- honeesty, treating everyone with respect
(helps maintain social control as means the correct people are charged for offences committed and justice is achieved)
what’s the funding of the CPS?
- most comes from the government.
- 2022-23 received £629.59 mil.
- have been significant cuts over recent years
(may limit their ability to achieving social control - led to downgrading of cases or cases being dropped altogether)
describe working practices of the CPS
- 14 regional teams across england and wales (giving both local and national reach)
- deal with most offences (certainly all serious ones)
- work together with police to ensure offenders are brought to justice (so maintaining social control)
- CPS use full code test to make decisions, including the evidential test (if enough quality evidence) and public interest test (if in public interest to prosecute).
(helps maintain social control as means the cases are thoroughly examined and people aren’t wrongfully charged, also that time isn’t wasted on crimes that the public won’t care about)
describe the aims and objectives of the judiciary
- interpret and apply the law to the cases that come before it (judicial precedent) in the courts and uphold the principle of criminal justice
- resolve disputes over issues of law and issues of fact.
(helps maintain social control - less likely for a person to be wrongly convicted/dangerous person free) - explain legal issues and procedures to the jury and sum up evidence
(helps maintain social control - jury understands case better, more likely to make a valid conclusion) - pass the sentence if defendant found guilty
(maintains social control - determines how long incapacitated for, protecting public)
describe the philosophy of the judiciary
6 main principles inc:
- impartiality (not favouring either side)
- integrity (honesty and strong moral principles)
(means social control can be maintained - judges verdict on sentence length/type isn’t biased, so reliable)
Swear 2 Oaths
- oath of allegiance to king, heir and successors
- judicial oath- treat ppl equally with impartiality and according to the law
describe the funding of the judiciary
pay based on advice of senior salaries review body - recommendations to prime minister
salary from around £100,000 - £300,000
salary is guaranteed.
describe the working practices of judiciary
have national and local reach
(allows them to achieve social control as not only based across country but also locally so can sentence criminals wherever.
have specialised knowledge and training to allow them to interpret crimes properly and give the appropriate sentence length/type.
also have judicial precedent to allow for less bias and statutory interpretation so morals can come in.
scrutiny of tenure: can’t be removed from office expect by petition to king passed by both houses.
describe the aims and objectives of prisons
- protect the public from harm through incapacitation
- ensure prisoners are securely held and to implement the sentences and orders given by the court
(helps maintain social control as they are held in prison meaning they can no longer be a danger to society as long as they are in there)
- help convicts rehabilitate so they can reintegrate into society as a law abiding citizen (helps maintain SC as no longer a danger to society, less future victims)
- prison acts as a deterrent through coercion or force.
can be both individual/general.
describe the philosophy of prisons
responsible for managing UK prisons alongside probation
purpose is ‘preventing victims by changing the lives of offenders’
(maintains SC - less dangerous offenders in society when released)
what’s the funding of the prisons?
- funded by central government
- 2023-24 - HM prison and probation services given a £5.3 billion day to day budget (47% of total)
- but cuts in budget over years (2023-24 = 11% lower than 2007-8)
- could mean not as good at maintaining social control within the prison as there isn’t enough funding for staff or resources.
describe the working practices of prisons and
- both national and local reach.
- as of 2024, 141 prisons in Uk
- diff category prisons ranging from A (highly secured, dangerous criminals) to D (open prisons, reasonably trusted to not escape)
- rewards given to prisoners that follow the rules - basic, standard and enhanced levels. Higher level = better rewards.
what are the aims and objectives of the probation service?
- priority is to ‘protect the public by the effective rehabilitation of high risk offenders by tackling the fusses of offending and enabling offenders to turn their lives around’
(maintains SC as offenders can be turned into good citizens so less victims are created as criminal beh is prevented)
- prepare pre-sentence reports for courts to help them select the most appropriate sentence.
(maintains SC as have worked with the criminal, know how dangeruous, can protect public by advising longer sentence.
- it individual fail to carry out the terms of the order, the probation service may seek their return to court for breach.
(maintains SC as they are clearly a danger to society so probation socially control this by taking them back to court)
what is the philosophy of the probation service?
- belief offenders can change for better and become responsible citizens
- belief in worth and dignity of individual.
- committed to social justice, inclusion and equality
(maintains SC as offenders are treated faintly and can feel cared for, not stigmatised so are more likely to want to become law abiding citizens)
describe the funding of the probation service
- gov provides funding from income tax revenue
- agency is part privatised - medium/ lower risk offenders managed by 21 community rehab companies. Businesses, self funded, working for profit
- 202324 - Hm prison and probation services given £5.3 day to day budget (47% of total)
(maintains SC as more funding for more staff so offended looked over more, more rehab)
describe the working practices of the probation service
- 12 regions in england and wales (both national and local reach)
- 30th June 2024 - over 230,000 offenders in england and wales under supervision of probation service
give an example of a charity
NACRO
(national association for the care and resettlement of offenders)
what are charities and pressure groups?
Charities and pressure groups are voluntary non-profit organisations that are independent of government control.
in fact their aim is often to put pressure on the government to change or amend laws to maintain social control
they largely represent the interest of vulnerable groups within society.
describe the aims and objectives of NACRO
- founded in 1966 and aims to change the way ex-offenders are perceived and offer support to help their resettlement via housing, education and resettlement advice.
- offer apprenticeships, traineeships and work programmes.
- Between 2017 and 2018, NACRO helped 32,000 people and, 71% moved on to sustainable accommodation.
- Their overarching aim is to maintain social control as the work they do links directly to reducing recidivism rates as ppl are less likely to reoffend when they resettle in to society effectively.
- Also a pressure group as campaign to put pressure on the gov to make changes such as the change in the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974.
describe the funding of NACRO
funding of more than £50,000 a year
(a lot for a charity)
comes largely through public donations and charitable activities.
helps maintain social control as money raised is spent on supporting ex offenders back into community.
