Agencies of social control Flashcards
what are the agencies
- police
- prisons
- CPS
- judiciary
- probation
- charities
- parliament
what is the role of the police
parole streets to reduce crime, search, power to arrest, detain, interview suspects, lots of types of police
what are strengths of the police
- coercion
- fear of punishment
- first at crime scene
what are weaknesses of the police
- lack of funding and resources
- cant directly punish(courts/cps)
- institutional racism
- out of touch with society
what is the role of the CPS
gather evidence to prosecute offenders are prepare cases for court, under time constraints advise police on prosecutions and work with other agencies
what are strengths of CPS
- prosecute offenders
- justice for victims
- work with other agencies
what are weaknesses of CPS
- funding problems
- lack of effectiveness and efficiency
- miscommunication with other agencies
what is the role of the judiciary
interpret and make decisions about laws, ensure a fair trial and pass a sentence, jury decide verdict
what are strengths of the judiciary
- retribution via sentencing
- unlimited sentencing powers using sentencing guidelines
what are weaknesses of the judiciary
- appeals
- out of touch with society
- reoffending rates
what are the roles of prisons
keep offenders in custody, enforce a prison sentence, try to meet all 5 aims of punishment
what are strengths of prisons
- public protection
- retribution
- token economy makes safe environment
what are weaknesses of prisons
- high reoffending rates
- rise in prison disturbances e.g. riots
- overpopulated
- lack of funding
what are the roles of probation
supervise offenders released from prison for a period of time, rehabilitate
what are the strengths of probation
- rehabilitate
- prevent reoffending
what are weaknesses of probation
- most prisoners released without housing
- inadequate assessments of risk to public
- not enough mentors
- reoffending rates high
what are charities
NON- PROFIT ORGANISATIONS that help those in need, raise awareness, raise money to help others financially
what is the main charity
prison reform trust
what does the prison reform trust do
- reduce unnecessary imprisonment
- promote community solutions to crime
- improve prison conditions
what are strengths of prison reform trust
- can help reduce criminalisation
- improves prison conditions
what are weaknesses of prison reform trust
-funding shortages as they only have voluntary donations
what is the role of parliament
make laws or change existing laws
