ac3.4 evaluation of agencies

Question 1

police

Answer 1

+ presence of police may deter people from committing crimes
+ stop and search and warrant to enter home
- institutional racism can cause people not to report
- budget cuts means less staff so may have to prioritise crime, public lose trust

Question 2

cps DONT DO

Answer 2

+ advise police on what is needed to ensure a realistic prospect of conviction
+ allows a fair trial, ensures human rights
- some argue evidence threshold too high
- drop cases due to complexity

Question 3

judiciary

Answer 3

+ judges are highly experienced and well trained so decisions made are said
+ jury made up of ordinary members of public so fair and reduces bias
- may give out too lenient sentences but some say it’s too harsh (london riots)
- positions of higher power are mainly made up of white peoples which could lead to racial bias eg BEN JOHN, lenient sentences given

Question 4

prisons DONT DO

Answer 4

+ fulfils aim of incapacitation ensuring public protection
+ token economy shown to be effective in maintaining social control
- funding may lead to less activities for rehab
- more experienced staff leaving prison service, not enough staff

Question 5

probation, can compare this to other agencies such as prison

Answer 5

+ officer works with ex offender to fulfil needs eg financial, prevents reoffending and protecting public by maintaining social control
+ some rather go to prison than probation, proves it’s an effective form of punishment which ensures social control and allows for recidivism rates to be lowered
+ sets limits on them ensuring public safety by maintaining social control
- annual report in 2019 found staff shortage leading to shortcoming and keeping victims safe because of privatisation of the service
- no way to force offenders to attend probation + rehab activities, not maintain social control as they aren’t attending these meetings
-community rehabilitation companies (CRCs), they had no privacy when offenders did go in and housing etc was not sorted, so there was less regulation, limitation bc they still commit crime and have not been rehabilitated SO SOCIAL CONTROL

Question 6

charities and pressure groups DONT DO

Answer 6

+ had led to change in laws eg Prison Reform Trust removing IPP
+ addresses social issues what people think are important
- not a lot of funding as they are independent of government
- lack of numbers/ support