3.2 - Describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control Flashcards
Environmental Tactics / Measures
- Design
- Gated lanes
What is Environmental Design?
Environmental Design relates to physical alterations to a neighbourhood which can reduce crime by natural surveillance of clear, open spaces and increase the likelihood of detection and apprehension of offenders.
The idea has been extended to the design of prisons which reduces further offending.
How can the built environment affect crime?
Environmental Design
The built environment can affect the level of crime in two ways:
1. By influencing potential offenders, e.g., presenting them with opportunities to commit crime.
1. By affecting people’s ability to exercise control over their surroundings.
Agencies such as architects, builders, town planners, and local councils can ‘design crime out’ by changing the physical layout of an area.
What is the ‘Broken Window’ Theory?
Link to Environmental Design
The ‘broken window’ principle demonstrates how neglected areas encourage further crime as they show visible signs of crime and anti-social behaviour.
This promotes graffiti, public drinking, substance abuse, and more serious crimes such as theft, criminal damage, and physical assaults (Wilson and Kelling).
What does ‘indefensible’ mean in relation to crime?
Environmental Design
Indefensible spaces are those where people do not feel a sense of ownership, leading to higher crime rates.
In Oscar Newman’s study, 55% of crimes in high-rise blocks occurred in public spaces like hallways and lifts.
What is an example of an indefensible space in a case study?
Environmental Design
An example of an indefensible space is the stairwell block of flats where Damilola Taylor was stabbed.
This incident highlights the dangers of spaces perceived as public and unowned.
What factors contribute to defensible spaces?
Environmental Design
Defensible spaces have lower crime rates due to factors like territory, natural surveillance, a safe image, and a safe location.
These factors encourage a sense of ownership and community.
What is meant by ‘natural surveillance’?
Environmental Design
Natural surveillance refers to environmental design features that allow people to see what is happening around them, such as open housing, good lighting, and low bushes.
These features help deter crime by increasing visibility.
What is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)?
Environmental Design
CPTED is based on the idea that some crime arises from opportunity due to the physical surroundings which can be altered to minimize that crime.
What key concepts does CPTED promote?
Environmental Design
CPTED promotes surveillance, access, territoriality, and physical and ordered maintenance.
What does the ‘line of determination’ refer to in CPTED?
Environmental Design
The ‘line of determination’ refers to creating boundaries that signal territory, indicating to offenders that they are not welcome.
How can physical modifications enhance safety in residential areas?
Environmental Design
Simple modifications, such as tending a garden, suggest that residents care and are watchful, promoting safer residential areas.
(Brown and Altman 1981)
What are some examples of innovations in CPTED?
Environmental Design
Innovations may include traffic lights, speed cameras, and roadside checkers, which strengthen formal surveillance.
Does CPTED apply only to domestic areas?
Environmental Design
No, CPTED can also relate to businesses, schools, individuals, or communities.
Is it true that all crime occurs in run-down or dark areas?
Environmental Design
No, it is not true that all crime is committed in such spaces, but CPTED is still highly effective.
How to improve - Open spaces
Environmental Design
- Offenders can be seen approaching and acting and hence are deterred as offenders can be observed and identified.
- Gravel path ways means a person can be heard approaching.
How to improve - Full and Bright lighting
Environmental Design
- Avoid dark areas where crime can be conducted unseen.
- Offenders can be observed and identified. Eg on stairwells in flats.
- Light alleyways.
- Lights that come on when getting dark or property approached.
How to improve - Clear lines of sight
Environmental Design
- Early warning signs of crime can be observed.
- Create clear line of sight.
- Create straight pathways and alleyways.
- Keep hedges and plants low.
How to improve - Remove, obsticles, no blind spots, lighting to see around corners
Environmental Design
- Remove ability to hide if observed will deter cautious.
- Low level bushes. Removes places for substance abuse, fly tipping, dog fouling.
How to improve - Transparent and secure doors/ windows
Environmental Design
Open entrance, visibility of people calling to the property. Secured locks, entry coms, open corridors, dusk-to-dawn lighting, mirrors.
Prison desighn
Environmental Design
- PRISON DESIGN is an environment which can impact on criminality within the prison.
- There are a variety of prison styles used by the UK Prison Service and in other nations.
What is the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
The Panopticon is a style of institutional building and a system of control introduced by Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century.
Who introduced the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
Jeremy Bentham introduced the Panopticon in the 18th century.
When was the first Panopticon built?
Prison desighn
The first Panopticon was built in the 1920s.
How does the Panopticon function?
Prison desighn
It allows for all inmates to be ‘watched’ by a prison officer without knowing whether they are being observed.
What is a key feature of inmate communication in the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
Inmates cannot communicate with each other or the prison officers.
What was the intended effect of the Panopticon design on inmate behavior?
Prison desighn
It was thought to encourage inmates to regulate their own behavior.
What did Bentham allege about the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
Bentham alleged it was ‘a mill for grinding rogues honest’.
What are potential criticisms of the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
Constant surveillance might lead to increased mental health issues and is almost certainly a breach of human rights.
What is the concept of the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
The Panopticon is a design for a prison where surveillance leads to self-surveillance among prisoners.
How does self-surveillance function in society according to Foucault?
Prison desighn
Self-surveillance has become an important way of achieving social control in today’s society.
What is an example of self-surveillance in everyday life?
Prison desighn
We monitor our behavior knowing we might be watched, for example, by CCTV cameras.
How were traditional prisons designed?
Prison desighn
Traditional prisons were built to look imposing and like fortresses.
What materials were traditionally used in prison construction?
Prison desighn
Prisons were made out of hard, durable materials.
What negative effect do traditional prison materials have?
Prison desighn
They cause echoing noise, raising stress levels in staff and inmates.
How has prison design changed in recent years?
Prison desighn
The design has changed to encourage voluntary cooperative behaviour, positive relationships, and rehabilitation.
What are some features of modern prison design?
Prison desighn
Modern prisons include light open spaces and access to the outdoors.
Cat A
Prison desighn
- Prison staff think you will harm someone outside of prison and everything possibe to stop you escaping is applied
- HM Prison Belmarsh
Cat B
Prison desighn
- Staff think you should have have no chance of escaping
- HMP Leicter
Cat C
Prison desighn
- Cannot be trusted in an open prison, staff think you will not escape
- HMP Berwyn
Cat D
Prison desighn
- Trusted in an open prison
- HM Stasnford Hill
Closed Prisons
Prison desighn
Cat A, b, C theyre secure and cannot escape them
Open Prisons
Prison desighn
Cat D, more freedom, own keys to cell, staff think you can be trusted
What is Bastoy prison known for?
Prison desighn: Human ecological prisons
Bastoy prison in Norway is run as ‘a small society’ with three absolute rules: no drugs, no violence, and no alcohol.
Who can apply to Bastoy prison?
Prison desighn: Human ecological prisons
Prisoners can apply to Bastoy when they are within 5 years of release, provided they have a determination to live a crime-free life.
What is the reoffending rate at Bastoy prison?
Prison desighn: Human ecological prisons
The reoffending rate at Bastoy prison is just 16%.
What approach is adopted in Norwegian prisons?
Prison desighn: Human ecological prisons
Norwegian prisons adopt a left-realist approach that seeks to treat prisoners with respect.
What is the impact of the left-realist approach on recidivism rates in Norway?
Prison desighn: Human ecological prisons
The approach is attributed to Norway’s low recidivism rates, which are just half that of the UK.
What are gated lanes?
Gated lanes
Gated lanes (known as lane or alley gating) are an environmental design thought to deter criminals by preventing access to the rear of premises.
Do gated lanes deter criminals effectively?
Gated lanes
Gated lanes are not necessarily a deterrent in themselves, as they are often unlocked and low level, but they present an obstacle for a quick getaway and prevent fly-tipping.
What is the average cost of installing a gated lane?
Gated lanes
The average cost of installing a gated lane is approximately £728 per gate, while the installation of gated lanes is criticized for being expensive at around £4000.
What benefits do gated lanes provide?
Gated lanes
Gated lanes are promoted as providing extra security to prevent domestic burglaries and restrict access to prevent anti-social behaviour.
What is a limitation of gated lanes?
Gated lanes
Gated lanes do not work against criminals who live within the gated area and can restrict access for emergency services and refuse collectors.
How do gated lanes affect community spirit?
Gated lanes
Gated lanes can improve community spirit and a sense of shared ownership, leading residents to collectively protect their environment.
What theory links with CPTED regarding offender behavior?
Gated lanes
CPTED links with the rational choice theory, which sees offenders acting rationally.
How do intruders’ fears influence their behavior in certain areas?
Gated lanes
If intruders fear they will be challenged by residents, they will be more likely to stay away from the area.
What do functionalists believe about crime?
Gated lanes
Functionalists believe some crime is inevitable, but social regulation reaffirms the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
What is the Marxist perspective on social regulation?
Gated lanes
Marxists argue that social regulation is simply the bourgeoisies protecting their property from the proletariat.
Behavioural Tactics / Measures
- ASBO
- Token Economy
What are behavioural tactics?
Behavioural Tactics
Behavioural tactics are ways in which agencies can seek to change individuals’ behaviour to make them conform to social norms and laws.
Which theories explain criminal behaviour?
Behavioural Tactics
Individualist theories such as Bandura’s social learning theory and Sutherland’s differential association theory can explain criminal behaviour.
What is Bandura’s social learning theory?
Behavioural Tactics
Social Learning Theory suggests that individuals learn behaviours through observation and imitation of others.
What is Sutherland’s differential association theory?
Behavioural Tactics
Differential Association Theory posits that criminal behaviour is learned through interactions with others.
What are ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were civil orders introduced to deal with low-level anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and youth gatherings at night.
Who introduced ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
ASBOs were introduced by Tony Blair.
What was the aim of ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
The aims of ASBOs were linked to fear of punishment and deterrence.
What was the effectiveness of ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
Between 2000 and 2013, ASBOs were issued to just over 24,000 people, but 58% of them breached their ASBO conditions.
What do labelling theorists argue regarding ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
Labelling theorists argue that labelling a person as a criminal or deviant can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
What happened to ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
ASBOs were replaced by Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs)
and Civil Protection Notices (CPNs) by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
What approach do CBOs and CPNs represent?
Behavioural Tactics
CBOs and CPNs represent a right realism approach of getting tough on crime.
What is a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)?
Behavioural Tactics
Issued by the courts after a criminal conviction has been issued.
What restrictions can a CBO impose?
Behavioural Tactics
They may be banned from certain activities or places.
What is required of individuals under a CBO?
Behavioural Tactics
They are also required to address their behaviour, e.g., attending a drug treatment programme.
Who are CBOs aimed at?
Behavioural Tactics
They are aimed at serious / persistent offenders.
What are the consequences of breaching a CBO?
Behavioural Tactics
A breach could lead to up to 5 years imprisonment for an adult, or 2 years for under 18s.
How do CBOs differ from ASBOs?
Behavioural Tactics
CBOs often include positive requirements, e.g., treatment programmes.
What is a Civil Protection Notice (CPN)?
Behavioural Tactics
A CPN is an order that a court may issue in response to reports of persistent antisocial behaviour from the police, a council, or a landlord.
What does a CPN do?
Behavioural Tactics
It prevents unwanted behaviour and can impose positive action to address an underlying issue.
Is there a maximum duration for a CPN?
Behavioural Tactics
No, there’s no maximum amount of time a CPN can last.
What are the consequences of breaching a CPN?
Behavioural Tactics
A breach of the order can lead to a prison sentence of up to 2 years.
What is a token economy?
Behavioural Tactics
A token economy system is used to control behaviour by rewarding positive behaviour and punishing negative behaviour.
How does a token economy programme work?
Behavioural Tactics
Institutions create a list of desired behaviours, and offenders are rewarded when they display these behaviours.
What is an example of a token economy programme in prisons?
Behavioural Tactics
Research the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme in prisons.
What are the consequences of a token economy?
Behavioural Tactics
There are positive and negative consequences, but it is thought to make prisoners easier to manage with little real rehabilitative value.
What is the long-term effect of a token economy on young offenders?
Behavioural Tactics
The effects are generally short-term.
Token Economy - Example: Prison
Behavioural Tactics
- Behaviour which could offend, threaten or hurt someone -Increase sentence by maximum of 42 days
- Escape - Privileges withdrawn for up to 42 days
- Not following prison staff’s instructions - Caution
Institutional Tactics / Measures
- Sanctions
- Rules
What are Institutional Tactics / Measures?
- Most institutions have their own methods and tactics of controlling undesirable behaviour.
- Institutions include, families, schools, workplaces, religious organisations, armies and prisons.
Examples in the CJS
Institutional Tactics / Measures
The Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board regulate the behaviour of lawyers within the criminal justice system.
What are sanctions?
Institutional Tactics / Measures
what theory do they link to
Sanctions are consequences for behaviour imposed by authority - they can be positive or negative and are based on Operant Conditioning.
positive / negative sanction used in:
* The family
* School
* Workplace
Institutional Tactics / Measures
- The family
1. Rule- children should not stay out late without permission.
1. Sanctions- withholding pocket money. - School
1. Rule - students must complete assignments and hand in work by the deadline.
1. Sanction - marks or grades can be capped for late submission. - Workplace
1. Rule- employees must be punctual
1. sanction - pay docked for latenes
What can the court do as a criminal justice institutions?
Institutional Tactics / Measures
They can sentence offenders to various punishments for not following rules
What can the probation services do as a criminal justice institutions?
Institutional Tactics / Measures
Supervises and monitors the behaviour of offenders whether serving a community sentence or released from prison on license.
What can the prison do as a criminal justice institutions?
Institutional Tactics / Measures
- Prison service has a set of prison rules that apply to all prisons. A prison governor can also add further local rules for their prison.
- Some rules link to;
use of drugs / alcohol, offending or harming others, preventing staff from doing their job, escaping.
Disciplinary Procedures
Institutional Tactics / Measures
- Rule making
- Staged / phased
Staged Sanctions
Institutional Tactics / Measures
- Sometimes, authorities can apply sanctions in a staged way- this could be inside or outside an institution.
- A first offence or misdemeanour might receive a more lenient sanction.
- E.g. police might issue a caution or warning first, but if someone reoffends, someone may be charged.
Phased sanctions
Institutional Tactics / Measures
- Repeat offending leads to stronger punishments (phased).
- E.g. a suspended sentence
Gaps in State Provisions
These gaps can lead to an increase in criminal activity, flawed investigations, lack of prosecutions and miscarriages of justice.
Gaps in State Provisions - Resources
Gaps in State Provisions
- Funding for social control agencies comes mainly from taxes but demands from other sectors e.g. education, NHS and welfare. Budget cuts have also had a huge impact e.g.
1. Police budget cut by 19% ( loss of 20,000 police officers),
1. CPS budget cut by a quarter (lost a third of staff)
1. Prisons budget fell my 16% and staff levels by 15%.
Gaps in State Provisions - New technology
Gaps in State Provisions
- Extra burden imposed by digital technology e.g. mobile phone records or computer data.
- In 2018 Alison Saunders (head of CPS) said it took 600 police hours to go through the digital material of one rape case linked to Tinder.
Gaps in State Provisions - Unreported crime
Gaps in State Provisions
- Crime can only be investigated, prosecuted and convicted if reported (40% of crimes go unreported)
- E.g. only 1 in 4 rape cases reported or estimated 2 million domestic abuse cases but only 600,000 recorded in 2018.
Gaps in State Provisions - Existing laws
Gaps in State Provisions
- New type of crime emerges but no law in place to prosecute.
1. For example there are limited laws around publishing scenes of rape, murder, terrorism or hate crimes via social media, yet if this was shown in traditional outlets e.g. books, films the person would be prosecuted.
1. For example the right wing terrorist who massacred 51 Muslims in mosques in Christchurch was able to live stream his actions.
1. Both Germany (2017) and Australia (2019) have passed laws to impose fines if social media outlets do not remove hate speech, fake news and illegal material.
dark figures of crime
Gaps in State Provisions
The ‘dark figures of crime’ are the offences which. are unreported or undetected.
Why does crime go unreported?
Gaps in State Provisions
- Crime is unreported for various reasons eg fear, not being believed, difficulty in finding evidence etc.
- Consequently rape, domestic violence and white-collar crimes are among those offences likely to be far more prevalent than the statistics show.
- Furthermore, the police do not record all crime.
