AC 3.2 - Environmental Tactics in achieving Social Control

Question 1

Outline CPTED, and who invented it? (3 points)

Answer 1

• Originates from criminologist: C. Ray Jeffery
• Based on the idea that crime results from the opportunities presented by the physical environment
• It should be possible to alter the physical environment, so that less crime is likely to occur

Question 2

What are the 5 principles of CPTED? (5 points)

Answer 2

• Physical Security: Measures used on individual dwellings to ensure they withstand attack
• Surveillance: Ensuring residents can observe the surrounding area. E.G. Front doors facing the street, well-lit areas
• Movement Control: Restricting access. High level of through movement allow offenders to access an area
• Management & Maintenance: Ensuring a development is free from signs of disorder. Shows area is cared for
• Defensible Space: Ownership of space should be clearly defined. E.G. public (pavement) or semi-private (rear garden

Question 3

What is the example for CPTED? (2 points)

Answer 3

Birmingham Bullring Market Design

• The width of the access ways was changed from 2m to 3m, allowing for more space & less cramping - making it more difficult for thieves
• This combined with police observation, would act as a deterrent as thieves - due to increased fear of punishment

Question 4

Outline the Strengths of CPTED (3 points)

Answer 4

• Promotes a sense of ownership. Could relate to a Functionalist view of crime - positive boundary maintenance
• Brown & Altman (1981) - found physical modifications suggested care & watchfulness
• In Ohio, a CPTED partnership plan with housing authority = 12-13% decline in crime

Question 5

Outline the Limitations of CPTED? (3 points)

Answer 5

• The principles suggest criminals operate in hidden places - not always true (e.g: graffiti)
• May be that crime is displaced rather than prevented. E.G: in NY, when the police increased subway surveillance, other crimes like bus robberies rose
• Difficult / costly to achieve with existing areas

Question 6

How does CPTED help achieve Social Control? (2 points)

Answer 6

• Broken Windows theory - physical disorder (e.g: vacant broken buildings, abandoned property, etc.) creates an urban environment that encourages further crime
• Principles of CPTED aim to minimise the level of physical disorder & remove the ability to commit crime. Thereby modifying offender’s behaviours & increasing social control

Question 7

Outline the Panopticon Prison Design as an environmental tactic (4 points)

Answer 7

• The traditional prison design is the panopticon (all-seeing) shape
• The concept is to allow an observer to view all prisoners without the prisoners being able to tell if they are being watched
• The building has a tower at the centre, from which it is possible to see each cell
• Prisoners cannot communicate with one another - abolishing the ‘crowd’

Question 8

How does the Panopticon prison design achieve social control? (3 points)

Answer 8

• Ensures a sense of permanent visibility that ensures the functioning of power
• Foucault’s Surveillance theory argues self-surveillance has become an important way of achieving social control
• Individuals know that they might be watched - so we modify & control our behaviour for avoid punishment

Question 9

Outline a Open Prison design (3 points)

Answer 9

• A lower security prison that has low restrictions on offenders
• Typically holds Category D prisoners
• Offenders won’t be in cells all day & may even be allowed out for certain periods of time

Question 10

Outline how an Open Prison design achieves Social Control? (3 points)

Answer 10

• Still under physical coercion - kept in prison under curfew
• May face harsher punishment if reoffend - the fear of this controls them
• Taught to how to lead law-abiding lives (given their own cell key), helping them internalise & absorb the values of society

Question 11

Outline a Human Ecological Prison design (2 points)

Answer 11

• A social experiment-based prison where offenders are taught values of responsibility, trust & accountability to aid their understanding of how they interact with their environment
• Helps develop a sense of respect for it - and seeing how their actions impact it

Question 12

Outline how Human Ecological prisons achieve Social Control (2 points)

Answer 12

• Offenders become much more aware of their environment, learning how their actions impact it, developing a sense of responsibility
• Thereby, they (overtime) internalise the social values of a law-abiding society

Question 13

What are Gated Lanes? (2 points)

Answer 13

• Gates installed at the entrance to rear alleyways in order to deter burglars or other criminals from gaining unlawful access
• Regulations came into force on 1st April 2006, allowing local authorities to erect gates on public highways

Question 14

What is the example for Gated Lanes? (1 point)

Answer 14

• Preston, Lancashire: proved popular with residents, giving them a feeling that they can reclaim their streets

Question 15

Outline the Strengths of Gated Lanes? (3 points)

Answer 15

• Makes burglary more difficult = individually deters pre existing offenders
• General deterrence of potential offenders as the environment appears neater & more cared for (Broken Windows theory)
• Sidebottom et al: Reviewed 43 studies and found gated lanes reduced burglary rates

Question 16

Outline the Limitations of Gated Lanes (3 points)

Answer 16

• Doesn’t work against criminals living within the gated area
• Can displace crime to other areas
• Can cost around £4,000 - could be used elsewhere (maybe more effectively). E.G: community centres to prevent crime

Question 17

How do Gated Lanes help achieve Social Control? (2 points)

Answer 17

• Gated lanes act as a deterrent as members of the public see the gate, so are aware that crime would be more difficult (general)
• And current offenders are deterred as the gate makes committing their offence difficult once installed (individual)