AC3.1 Explain the role of agencies in social control

Question 1

Police

Answer 1

Aims & objective - Reduce crime and maintain law and order, protect life & property, statutory powers.
Funding - Central government grant, home office.
Philosophy - Crime prevention, public safety.
Working practices - responsible for general beat duties and response to emergency and non emergency calls from public, work with other agencies, investigate crimes.

Question 2

Crown Prosecution Services (CPS)

Answer 2

Aims & objectives - prosecute criminal cases, advise police, ensure fair trials, prepare cases and present in court.
Funding - government funded through the Attorney General’s Office.
Philosophy - Justice and fairness
Working practices - available 24/7 to provide police with charging advice, evidential and public interest test.

Question 3

Judiciary (courts)

Answer 3

Aims & objectives - make decisions about law including interpretation and application, manage Crown Court trials, set precedent and legal rules for other courts if law unclear.
Funding - Government, salaries decided by the Senior Review Body.
Philosophy - Fairness, impartiality, justice.
Working practices - make decisions solely on basis of law, evidence and facts without improper influence, sentence offenders, hear cases and oversee appeals.

Question 4

HM Prison service

Answer 4

Aims & objectives - rehabilitate and punish offenders.
Funding - government funded through MOJ, 2014 budget was £3.4b.
Philosophy - Rehabilitation and public protection.
Working practices - house offenders, provide education and training and offer mental health and addiction support.

Question 5

National Probation Service (NPS)

Answer 5

Aims & objectives - Supervise and monitor high risk offenders released into community, support rehab while protecting public, manage offenders safely and effectively.
Funding - through National Offender Management Service.
Philosophy - Rehabilitation and reintegration.
Working practices - prepares pre-sentence reports for courts, assessing offenders in prison to prepare release on license to community.

Question 6

Charities

Answer 6

Aims & objectives - reduce unnecessary imprisonment, improve the treatment & conditions for prisoners and promote human rights.
Funding - not government funded so can bring independent advice and challenge functions.
Philosophy - welfare and rehab focus, human rights.
Working practices - advise and support victims and to campaign and create new policies.
e.g. Howard League Penal Reform