AC 3.1

Question 1

Explain the role of the Police in achieving social control

Answer 1

• Aim is to arrest, detain, search and interview suspects.
• Funding & main income comes from central government. Some income is also raised
  through council tax.
• Working duties include responding to emergency/non-emergency calls, general
  duties. Specialist teams deal with more specialised areas of crime incl. anti-terrorism, firearm teams & dog handler teams.
• PCSOs work on the front line dealing with anti-social behaviour.
• Special constables are trained volunteers who provide additional policing support.
• Police & Crime Commissioners regionally elected who hold the police to account &
  aim to cut crime within their regional areas.
• In England and Wales the police service has both a national and local reach, it is divided into 43 territorial police force areas: 39 in England and 4 in Wales.

Question 2

Explain the role of the CPS in achieving social control

Answer 2

• Must decide which cases should be prosecuted, determine the charge in serious & complex cases and advise the police.
• Uses evidential test to decide if evidence is admissible. Public interest test to decide if the case is in the public interest to prosecute and finally threshold test used in rare instances when the evidence is not available yet but a serious offences has been committed
• Have the aim of preparing cases and presenting them at court as well as provide information and support to victims/prosecution witnesses.
• Funding comes from Parliament. CPS also gains funding through recovering criminal assets.
• CPS consists of 14 geographical areas across England & Wales. CPS Direct is available 24/7 with charging advice.

Question 3

Explain the role of the Judiciary in achieving social control

Answer 3

• Judiciary divided into superior & inferior judges. Role of a judge is to make decisions about the law through interpretation, apply the law and manage a trial.
• At the end of a trial, they will sum up the evidence for the jury & pass a sentence if appropriate.
• Funding is decided by the Salaries Review Body (SSRB) who provide independent advice to the Prime Minster & government officials.
• Working practices include having responsibility for decisions regarding freedom,
• having to take two oaths to ensure they work independently from government influence and are fair & consistent.
• Wide reach over 90 crown courts over the country.

Question 4

Explain the role of Prisons in achieving social control

Answer 4

• Aim is to keep those sentenced to prison in custody & help them lead law-abiding, useful lives whilst in prison. Work with police, councils and charities to do this.
• Funding comes from government through taxation.
• Most prisons are public sector & run by government. However, there are 14 private prisons run by private security companies.In 2019 there were 121 prisons.
• Prisons divided into 4 levels: Category A – Category D. Category A is high risk, maximum security, through to Cat. D: low risk/open prisons.

Question 5

Explain the role of the Probation in achieving social control

Answer 5

• Probation service supervises high-risk offenders released into the community. Work with around 30,000 offenders a year helping to try & rehabilitate offenders.
• Whilst on probation, offenders may have to do unpaid work, complete education/training and have regular meetings with an ‘offender manager’.
• Probation service is foundered through income taxation by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS)

Question 6

Explain the role of the Charities in achieving social control

Answer 6

• They are not government funded so can bring independent advice and can challenge functions in the CJS. They rely on voluntary donations.
• They are non-profit organisations. Examples include: The Prison Reform Trust
• Main objectives of the PRT is: reduce unnecessary imprisonment, improve the
  treatment & conditions for prisoners and promote human rights in the CJS.