Ac3.1 explain the role of agencies in social control

Question 1

The Polices Role in social control

Answer 1

• Aim is to arrest detain search and interview suspects
• funding and main income comes from central government. Some income is also raised through council tax.
• Working duties include responding to emergencies/ non emergency calls, general beat duties. Specialist teams deal with more specialized areas of crime for example antiterrorism, firearms teams and dog handlers.
• Police and crime commissioners regionally elected who hold the police to account and aim to cut crime within their regional areas.

Question 2

The CPSs role in social control

Answer 2

• the cps decides which cases should be prosecuted, determine the charge in serious and complex cases and advise the police
• prepares cases and presents them at court as well as providing information and support to victims and witnesses
• CPS consists of 13 geographical areas across England and Wales. CPS Direct is available 24/7 with charging advice
• a code of practice is used to help decide if a prosecution should take place. Evidential and public interest tests must be satisfied for the prosecution to take place

Question 3

The judiciaries role in social control

Answer 3

• judiciary divided into superior and 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 sum up the evidence for the jury and pass a sentence if appropriated.
• funding is decided by the salaries review board who provide independent advice to the Prime Minister and government officials.
• working practices include having responsibility for decisions regarding freedom, having to take 2 oaths to ensure they work independently from the government influence and are fair and consistent.

Question 4

The prison services role in social control

Answer 4

• prisons aim is to keep those sentence in prison in custody and help them to lead a law abiding, useful life whilst in prison. Work with police and councils and charities to do this.
• funding comes from the government through taxation.
• most prisons are public sector and are run by the government however there are 14 privately run prisons.
• prisons divided into 4 levels: category A is a high risk, maximum security through to category D which is low risk/ open prisons.

Question 5

The probation services role in 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 and or training and have regular meetings with an offender manager.
• Probation service is funded through income taxation by the National Offender Management service.
• Working duties include having to prepare sentence reports for courts and help in selecting the more appropriate sentence for an individual.
• they also helped to prepare individuals for release from prison and supervise offenders once released from prison as well as communicating with victims of serious crimes when offenders are due to be released.

Question 6

Charities and pressure groups role in social control

Answer 6

• they are not government funded so can bring intermediate advice and can challenge functions in the CJS. They rely on voluntary donations.
• they are non-profit organizations examples include the Prison Reform Trust.
• main objective of the Prison Reform Trust is to reduce unnecessary imprisonment, improve the treatment and conditions of prisoners and promote human rights.

Question 7

Howard League of penalty reforms role in social control

Answer 7

• This is the oldest Penal Reform charity in the UK.
• it aims for less crime and safer communities as well as fewer people in prison.
• entirely independent from government and is funded by voluntary donations.
• has run many successful campaigns including the books for prison campaign