Forms of Social Control, Aims of Punishment, Types of Punishment Flashcards
What does social control mean?
Enforcement of conformity by society by its members by law or social pressure
What are internal forms of social control?
Prevents criminal behaviour
Accepts societal norms and values
What are external forms of social control?
Influences that persuade or compel a person to conform with rules so that they do not commit a crime
What are the 3 Internal forms of social control?
Rational Ideology
Tradition
Internalisation
What are the 3 External forms of social control?
Coercion
Fear of punishment
Control theory
Define Rational Ideology
People making decisions based on logic and their interests
Define Tradition
Norms and values passed down by generations. Stops people committing crime as certain values are inherent
Define Internalisation
An individuals acceptance of norms and values
Define Coercion
Persuading by forced or threats. Physical or non violent
Define Fear of punishment
Worry of committing a crime and going to prison or having to pay a fine because of it
Define Control theory
Inner/Outer controls that work against our tendencies to want to deviate or commit a crime
What are social rules?
What is right and wrong in society. Can be due to the law or our norms and values
Define Morality
Distinction between right and wrong and good and bad behaviour
How is Internalisation achieved in institutions?
Schools - teaching students right and wrong, citizenship
Religion - religious teachings of right and wrong behaviour
How is Control theory achieved in institutions?
Schools - Working with parents, teaching good behaviour and sanctioning bad behaviour
Religion - Religious teaching to shape behaviour and mould a persons morals and actions
How is Rational ideology achieved in institutions?
Schools - Rewards and sanctions to encourage students to make the right choice
Religion - Discussion of rewards/punishments. Heaven and hell
How is Coercion achieved in institutions?
Schools - Giving instructions to students. Raising your voice if students misbehave
Religion - Pressure to conform from family/school/parish
How is Fear of punishment achieved in institutions?
Schools - Detentions, exclusions, contacting parents
Religion - Sinning, retribution from God
How is Tradition achieved in institutions?
Schools - Passing on norms and values. Respect, uniform, charity work
Religion - Christmas, getting married, religious festivals
Define Retribution
Punish the offender
Define Rehabilitation
Reform the offender
Define Detterence
Reducing crime
Define Public Protection
Safety
Define Reparation
Giving back to the victim
What are discharges?
Given at the least serious offences.
Absolute discharge - no punishment because going to court is punishment enough. There is still a criminal record
Conditional discharge - If the offender commits another crime, they get sentenced for both offences.
What are fines?
Most common type of sentence given. Given for low level crimes. Amount is set by the court after considering the seriousness of the offence and how much money the offender can pay. Fines are given to organisations or companies as well as people.
What are community sentences?
Combines punishment with activities carried out in the community. Includes 1 or more of 13 requirements on an offender
Offender might have alcohol or drug treatment. This aims to tackle why they committed the crime. They might also have a curfew
What are the list of requirements of a community sentence?
Unpaid work for up to 300 hours
Mental health/drug/alcohol treatment
Adherence to curfew, offender is at a particular place at certain times
What are custodial sentences?
Reserved for the most serious offences such as murder
What are the different types of custodial sentences?
Suspended sentences, Determinate sentences, Extended sentences, Life sentences
What are suspended sentences?
When an offender does:
Unpaid work
On a curfew
alcohol or drug treatment
Rehabilitation
What are determinate prison sentences?
The court sets a fixed length for the prison sentence and is the most common type of prison sentence.
For example, If an offender is given a 4 year prison sentence, this is the maximum sentence they can be given but they will not spend the whole time of this in prison
What are extended prison sentences?
Provide extra safety to the public. Given to an offender 18+
When are extended prison sentences given?
Offender is guilty of a violent or sexual offence
Court assess the offender as a risk to the public
A sentence of imprisonment for life is not available
Offender has a previous conviction of offence
What are life sentences?
Offenders are subject to a sentence for the rest of their life.
What are the 3 types of life sentences?
Mandatory life sentences
Whole life order
Discretionary life sentences
What are Ancillary orders?
When the judge imposes orders on the offender. Some ancillary orders are aimed at redressing the harm caused by an offender, such as compensation orders. Others aim to prevent future re-offending or repeat victimisation, including criminal behaviour orders and exclusion orders.
What are 3 ancillary orders available?
Criminal behaviour orders
Restraining orders
Deprivation orders
How are the aims of punishment met when a fine is given?
Reparation - giving money back
Deterrence - stops offender to do it again
Retribution - most common type of punishment
How are the aims of punishment met when a discharge is given?
Retribution - Offender has a criminal record
Deterrence - If offender does another crime, they get punished for both offences
How are the aims of punishment met when a community sentence is given?
Retribution - formal type of punishment for the criminal
Reparation - doing unpaid work for the community
Rehabilitation - better mental health and changed mindset
How are the aims of punishment met when a custodial sentence is given?
Rehabilitation - offenders have a changed mindset
Deterrence - offender is in jail and can no longer have a life sentence
Public protection - criminal is no longer in the public
Retribution - offender is punished in the most serious way
How are the aims of punishment not met when a fine is given?
Rehabilitation - no link to change the mindset of the offender
Public protection - no link to protecting the public however it may stop the criminal
How are the aims of punishment not met when a discharge is given?
Public protection - offender is out in the public
Rehabilitation - offender does not get reformed and thinks the same way
Reparation - Offender gives nothing back
How are the aims of punishment not met when a community sentence is given?
Public protection - still out in the public, temptation to reoffend. Recidivism
How are the aims of punishment not met when a custodial sentence is given?
Reparation - offender cant give anything back, the criminal act is too serious
