AC3.2 Institutional Tactics

Question 1

How institutional tactics work

Answer 1

Institutions can use positive and negative sanctions as a form of social control. Through these sanctions they enforce a rule or norm with positive or negative consequences.

Question 2

Informal agencies

Answer 2

Informal agencies are agencies such as school, work and family which aren’t a part of the criminal justice system but can hand out punishments such as detention. These can have a significant effect on the extent to which we confrom to the norms, values, mores, and laws of society.

Question 3

Formal agencies

Answer 3

Formal agencies are agencies such as police, courts and prison that are involved in the criminal justice system and can hand out formal punishments such as community orders or prison sentences. These are heavily involved in influencing or shaping conformity around norms and values. For example the rules in prison attempt to reduce deviancy and criminality by heavily resticting freedom as well as harshly punishing any antisocial behaviour such as for a first offence it is dealt with leniency for instance taking away an inmate’s privileges, but for a repeat offence a stronger sanction is issued such as cellular confidement.

Question 4

Gaps in State Provision

Answer 4

Only 40% of crimes are reported. This may be due to a fear of consequences, the victim believes they will not be taken seriously, or there was a disinterest within the police.

Additionally formal agency funding comes from taxes paid by the public, but this is competed with the NHS, education, pension, and welfare.