AC 3.3 Explain the limitations of agencies in achieving social control Flashcards
How can finance be a limitation of achieving social control?
- without adequate funding, agencies such as the police, prison and CPS would be incapable of achieving social control.
- Main budget derives from government funds, their spending cuts have impacted agencies reducing their effectiveness
What is the limitation of the police in achieving social control?
2010-2018 budget was cut by 19%, cut has led to a fall in 20,000 officers and national shortages of detectives
Example showing limitation of police control?
Rape cases
- Police might be tempted to drop cases, because they take longer to investigate, e.g. rape cases take an average of 129 to solve compared to 2 days for theft
Other example?
MET police dropped 2.6 times as many cases on the day they were reported in 2017 than they did in 2016
Limitation of the CPS in achieving social control?
- 2010-2018, budget cut by a quarter, led to staff losses of one third
- head of CPS: “police are failing to investigate thousands of cases efficiently as staff are lacking skills and resources to deal with crimes e.g. rape and modern day slavery
Consequences of this limitation of the CPS?
- Police are forced to drop cases which leads to the inability of achieving social control
- Downgrading cases to the magistrate court for cost effectiveness (potential for Miscarriage of justice)
Limitation of the prisons in achieving social control?
- 2010-2018 budget was cut by 16%
- Staff levels fell by 15%, leading to experienced officers leaving
- increasing the levels of assaults, self-harm and suicides
- overcrowding and staff cuts have affected access to rehab opportunities
Limitations of charities/pressure groups in achieving social control?
- little to no government funding
- lack of media awareness, if charity or pressure groups fails to engage the public effectively, influence might be limited
Limitations of probation service in achieving social control?
- hard to maintain and control offenders
- difficult to change internalisation of social rules and morality
- budget cuts = less probation officers meaning offenders will not be monitored effectively
What are the limitations of prison services addressing Mental health?
• 24% of male prisoners and 47% of female prisoners have a history of psychiatric Treatment
• however the availability of mental health services is limited with only 18% of prisons in England and Wales offering Mental health support to prisoners
Limitations of moral imperatives?
Moral imperatives can pose challenges for social control, when crimes are committed, as they involve deeply held beliefs or values that may be difficult to address through traditional criminal justice approaches e.g. assisted suicide
What are civil liberties?
• the fundamental rights and freedoms that are protected by law
What are the examples of civil liberties?
• right to vote and religion
• right to live and movement
• right to privacy
• freedom of speech
• freedom from detention without trial
What are legal barriers ?
• refer to laws and regulations that limit the ability of authorities to control behaviours or actions
How does civil liberties and legal barriers help achieve social control
• limiting the power of the government and law enforcement agencies to interfere in the private lives of citizens
Civil liberties e.g. right to privacy prevents government from conducting surveillance
Legal barriers e.g. principles of due process ensured individuals to have the right of a fair trial
Access to resources and support
What highlights the impact of resources and support on rehabilitation?
• Overcrowding
• Education and Employment
• Mental health
• Substance Abuse
How does overcrowding limit achieving social control ?
• UK prisons operate at 98%
• makes it difficult for prisoners to access education, training and other programs that can support their rehabilitation
• 15% cut in number of prison officers to supervise recreational times
How does Education and employment limit achieving social control?
• 19% of prisoners in England and Wales are enrolled in education and training
• only 8% are in full-time employment upon release
• lack of education and unemployment opportunities makes it harder to reintegrate into society
