AC 3.1: Explain the role of agencies in social control

Question 1

What is social control?

Answer 1

Social control is about making people follow society’s norms and laws

Question 2

Which agencies are involved in social control?

Answer 2

Police, CPS, judiciary, prisons, probation service, charities, and pressure groups.

Question 3

Who mainly controls these agencies?

Answer 3

: The government, but some are privately run (e.g., some prisons and probation services).

Question 4

What are the main aims of the police?

Answer 4

1. Keep the peace and maintain order.
2. Protect life and property.
   
   3. Prevent, detect, and investigate crime.
   4. Bring offenders to justice.

Question 5

What legal powers do the police have?

Answer 5

Stop, question, search, arrest, detain, and interview people in relation to crime.

Question 6

When was the Metropolitan Police Force set up, and by whom?

Answer 6

In 1829, by Sir Robert Peel.

Question 7

What are the key points of Peel’s philosophy?

Answer 7

1. The police’s mission is to prevent crime and disorder.
   
   2. They rely on public cooperation.
   3. Force is a last resort.
   4. They must serve the law impartially.
   5. The police and public are one—police are just citizens in uniform.

Question 8

What was the total police budget in 2018/19?

Answer 8

£12.3 billion.

Question 9

Where does police funding come from?

Answer 9

1. Two-thirds from central government.
   
   2. Most of the rest from local council tax.
   3. A small amount from charging for services (e.g., football matches).

Question 10

How has funding changed? (Police)

Answer 10

It fell by 19% from 2010 to 2018, leading to a loss of 20,000 officers.

Question 11

How many regional police forces are there?

Answer 11

39 in England, 4 in Wales, plus separate forces for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Question 12

Name a national law enforcement agency.

Answer 12

he National Crime Agency.

Question 13

Do the police deal with all types of crime?

Answer 13

Yes, but some specialized agencies handle specific crimes (e.g., HM Revenue & Customs for tax fraud).

Question 14

What are some general duties of the police?

Answer 14

1. Patrolling local areas (“the beat”).
   2. Working with the community.
   3. Responding to routine and emergency calls.
   4. Securing crime scenes.
   5. Gathering evidence.
   6. Arresting offenders.

Question 15

Name some specialist police units.

Answer 15

• CID (Criminal Investigations Department)
• Fraud and Drugs Squad
• Special Branch
• Traffic and Mounted Police
• Air Support, River Police, Underwater Search Teams, Dog Handlers

Question 16

What is the role of the National Crime Agency (NCA)?

Answer 16

Tackles serious organized crime, including child exploitation and cybercrime.

Question 17

What are Special Constables?

Answer 17

Unpaid, part-time volunteers with the same training and powers as regular officers.

Question 18

What are Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)?

Answer 18

Officers with limited powers who handle minor offences like anti-social behavior.

Question 19

What do Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) do?

Answer 19

They are elected to oversee policing in their area.

Question 20

What is the CPS?

Answer 20

The Crown Prosecution Service The main prosecutor in England and Wales, set up in 1986.

Question 21

Why was the CPS created?

Answer 21

To prevent police bias in prosecutions.

Question 22

What are the CPS’s main 6 responsibilities?

Answer 22

1. Advising police on investigations.
   
   2. Reviewing police evidence.
   3. Deciding whether to prosecute.
   4. Choosing charges.
   5. Preparing and presenting cases in court.
   6. Supporting victims and witnesse

Question 23

What are the core values of the CPS?5

Answer 23

1. Independence and fairness.
   
   2. Honesty and openness.
   3. Respect for all.
   4. Professionalism and excellence.
   5. Equality and inclusion.

Question 24

How is the CPS funded?

Answer 24

Mostly by the government, with some money from court-awarded costs and confiscated criminal assets.

Question 25

How have funding cuts affected the CPS?

Answer 25

In 2018, the budget fell by 25%, and a third of staff were lost.

Question 26

How is the CPS organized?

Answer 26

• 14 regional teams, each led by a Chief Crown Prosecutor. • CPS Direct (a virtual 15th team) provides 24/7 charging decisions.

Question 27

What are the three tests for prosecution?

Answer 27

1. Evidential Test – Is there enough reliable, admissible evidence? 2. Public Interest Test – Is prosecution necessary for the public good? 3. Threshold Test – Can enough evidence be gathered later to secure a conviction?

Question 28

What is the role of judges in Crown Court?

Answer 28

1. Manage trials fairly. 2. Explain legal issues to the jury. 3. Summarize evidence. 4. Sentence convicted defendants.

Question 29

What do judges in appeal courts do?

Answer 29

1. Review lower court decisions. 2. Set legal precedents.

Question 30

What are the six key principles of judicial conduct?

Answer 30

1. Independence (free from government control). 2. Impartiality (no favoritism). 3. Integrity (honesty and morality). 4. Propriety (high ethical standards). 5. Equal treatment for all. 6. Competence (having the right skills and knowledge)

Question 31

What oaths do judges take?

Answer 31

1. Oath of allegiance (loyalty to the monarchy). 2. Judicial oath (to be fair and impartial).

Question 32

Who decides judges’ salaries?

Answer 32

The Senior Salaries Review Body.

Question 33

Why do some lawyers earn more than judges?

Answer 33

Senior barristers, especially in commercial law, can make over £1m a year.

Question 34

What is the highest court in the UK?

Answer 34

The Supreme Court

Question 35

Where do local judges work?

Answer 35

In lower courts like the Crown Court.

Question 36

How is judicial independence protected?

Answer 36

1. Judges can’t be removed except by Parliament. 2. Their salaries are protected.

Question 37

What are the 3 main aims of prisons?

Answer 37

• Protect the public from harm • Help offenders rehabilitate and contribute to society • Hold prisoners securely and implement court sentences

Question 38

What is the philosophy of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)?

Answer 38

Prevent victims by changing the lives of offenders

Question 39

How are prisons funded?

Answer 39

• Funded by the government through general taxation • In 2018, £3 billion budget, 16% lower than 2010

Question 40

What are the different types of prisons based on security levels?

Answer 40

Closed Prisons: • Category A: Highly dangerous offenders (e.g., murderers, terrorists) • Category B: Need tight security but not maximum security • Category C: Unlikely to escape but cannot be trusted in open conditions • Open Prisons: • Category D: Trusted not to escape (e.g., Askham Grange)

Question 41

What are some of the prison activities and routines?

Answer 41

• Chief Inspector criticized rehabilitation and activities in prisons • Many prisons offer few meaningful activities (only 2/5 offered good activities in 2018)

Question 42

What are Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEPs)?in prisons

Answer 42

System of rewards for prisoners who follow the rules 3 levels: Basic, Standard, Enhanced

Question 43

What is the structure of the prison service?

Answer 43

• Prisons are organized nationally but prisoners are classified and moved based on risk assessments • Private sector prisons (e.g., Sodexo, Serco) also exist

Question 44

What happens when a prisoner attempts to escape?

Answer 44

They wear “banana suits” and are moved around frequently

Question 45

What are the aims of the National Probation Service (NPS)?

Answer 45

• Supervise high-risk offenders and support victims of serious crime • Rehabilitate offenders and help them reintegrate into society

Question 46

What partnerships does the NPS have?

Answer 46

Collaborates with courts, police, private and voluntary sectors (e.g., community rehabilitation companies like Sodexo)

Question 47

What are the two types of clients in probation?

Answer 47

• Offenders serving a sentence in the community (e.g., community orders) • Offenders released on licence from prison

Question 48

What is the philosophy of the NPS?

Answer 48

Belief that offenders can change Commitment to social justice, equality, and diversity

Question 49

How is the NPS funded?

Answer 49

Funded by government taxation 2018 budget for HMPPS: £4.6 billion

Question 50

What are the responsibilities of the NPS?

Answer 50

• Preparing pre-sentence reports for courts • Managing approved premises for offenders • Preparing prisoners for release and managing their supervision on release

Question 51

What are the main differences between NPS and CRCs?

Answer 51

NPS supervises high-risk offenders; CRCs handle low to medium-risk offenders

Question 52

What is the role of charities and pressure groups in social control?

Answer 52

They promote the welfare of specific groups (e.g., victims, ex-offenders) and campaign for policy changes

Question 53

What is NACRO, and what are its aims?

Answer 53

• National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders • Helps ex-offenders reintegrate into society and campaigns for social justice (e.g., reforming the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974)

Question 54

What services does NACRO provide? 4

Answer 54

• Housing for ex-offenders (over 3,000 tenants) • Educational services (4,900 students in 2018) • Resettlement advice (housing, jobs) • Outreach projects to prevent youth offending

Question 55

How is NACRO funded?

Answer 55

Public donations, government grants, and contracts for services

Question 56

What is NACRO’s national and local reach?

Answer 56

Operates nationally with local activities in 50 areas of England and Wales