AC3.4 - Effectiveness of Agencies in Achieving Social Control Flashcards
Why are prisons effective?
Escape rate:
- Only 3 escapes over the last 3 years
- Prisons do successfully protect the public from criminality therefore provide effective social control
Prison designs:
- Norways prison system is often seen as the best example - even maximum security prisons have a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
- Norway has a low reoffending rate showing that their prison designs have been effective at socially controlling their inmates after release
Why are prisons ineffective?
Finances:
- Prisonphone website 2017 - from 2011/12 to 2014/15, the national offender management service (NOMS) decreased its budget which equated to £900 million
- Rise in riots - 2016 police riot squad was called to HMP The Mount twice in 24 hours
- Daily telegraph 2017 - prisoners armed with weapons seized control of Nash Wing
- Staff shortages and an extended lockdown of prisoners were reported to have left the prison as a ‘distaster waiting to happen’
Poor conditions:
- Many prisoners have low levels of literacy and numeracy skills (51% have literacy skills of an 11-year-old) - they do not have resources to deal with them
- Limited rehabilitation - lack of educational resources would limit ability to rehabilitate
Overcrowding:
- Prison population has doubled from 1993 to 2019
- Ratio between staff and prisoners is higher. limiting the ability of staff to able other social control measures in prison
Why are charities effective?
Strong committment to cause:
- Prince’s trust - helps young people who have fallen into trouble
- Can push and put pressure on the government to make changes in specific areas rather than attempt to change the whole system
Gaps in service:
- Nacro - provides services for ex-offenders and those in danger of reoffending
- help is needed because many offenders are released on friday so are unable toaccess any services until monday leaving them homeless in the meantime
- Filling gaps allows charities to help offenders and therefore provide social control
Why are charities ineffective?
Volunteer requirements:
- Nacro - heavily reliant of donation and volunteers
- Cannot provide the same level of support as more official services, or may not be able to provide it exactly when needed
Media reaction:
- Prison reform trust - faces negative media attention as it aims to improve prison conditions
- Much of national media demonise offenders which can limit support for charities
Why is the judiciary effective?
Expertise:
- A minimum of 5-7 years post qualification experience is needed to become a judge
- Allows for better social control as they are more effective in their roles
Why is the judiciary ineffective?
Class bias:
- Over 70% of judges are privately educated
- Marxists - poor people are much more likely to be punished
Gender bias:
- 71% of judges are male
- can lead to either too harsh or too lenient punishments on female criminals
