Modern Britain (1900-present) Flashcards
How have standards of living improved
Population was better fed
Better clothed
Better housing
Absolute poverty declined
Have crimes really increased
No, People are more willing to report crimes Telephones made communication to police easier More people reported for insurance Crimes are recorded more consistently
How has crime changed?
Car crime - 1934, over 7000 ppl died on road, car theft is huge
Murder - murder is spur of the moment, not much increase
Terrorism - IRA 1970-90s bomb attacks, 2005 Muslim suicide bombing
Computer crime - online fraud, steal bank details, illegal music and films
Theft, burglary and shoplifting - drug lead to theft
Violent and sexual offences - increased as ppl reported more
Hate crimes - 2007, people targeted for race, religion disability
How did smuggling change?
Tobacco and alcohol smuggled in huge quantities, much cheaper in other countries, so buy in bulk and sell, ppl liked this as it was cheaper to buy
Illegal drugs smuggled
People smuggled
What were conscientious objectors?
They were people who refused to take part in war for moral reasons
What was the recruitment like during ww1
In the start it was mainly volunteers, but as casualties built up single men ages 18-41 were required to enlist, and few months later married men as well. Raised 2.5 million soldiers
How many men were COs
16,000
What did the COs say to get out of war?
Used bible - ‘thou shalt it kill’
Others felt that war was an argument between ruling classes if Europe then ordinary people
What was the treatment of COs like?
They were seen as cowardice
Had to appear in front of tribunal court, which consisted of ex soldiers.
Some given alternative work, others took on non fighting roles
Over 6,000 refused and were sent to prison
73 cos died
What happened to COs in ww2
Constriction introduced again in 1939 and 59,162 registered as COs
They were treated less harshly, but were still attacked
How has policing changed?
Neighbourhood watch - 1982
Crime prevention officers
Carry pepper spray and CS gas, use tasers
1970s use of vehicles made it easier to patrol
1901 fingerprint and chemical analysis
Specialisation
1974 police national computer (PNC)
Two way radio 1930s
999
All recruits had to have 14 weeks of training 1974
CCTV helped identify suspects
Automatic number plate recognition
Number of officers increased 126,000 spread across 43 local forces
Female officers increased
How have prisons changed
Separate system and solitary confinement ended
Diet and conditions improved, visitors allowed
Teachers to help inmates
1902 - useless labour eg crank and treadmill ended
What were open prisons?
Built in 1933
For minor offenes
Prisoners allowed to leave to find work and prepare for ordinary life
Why were there changes to prisons
Fear of crime declined
Gov had less pressure to be so harsh
Arrest was a bigger deterrent than prison
No longer believed in criminal underclass, more Abt environment
Why have prisoner numbers increased
- length of sentences increased
- increased nance of sentence as there are increased crimes
- number of ppl awaiting trial has increased
What are the problems w prisons
- high rates of reoffending
- younger can learn from older
- prison is expensive
- dont deal w social or personal problems
What was Victorian attitude to young offenders
They were seen as juvenile delinquents, treatment was harsh and similar to adults
But now they think that they should be reformed
What are borstals and when were they set up?
1902
Extremely strict boarding skls
What were approved schools, and when were they set up?
In 1932
Offered training in things like bricklaying
Their was lots of public criticism and thus had to shut down
What are attendance centres and when were they introduced
In 1948
Non custodial
Teach 18-24 life skills like jobs and money
Today is for 18-24
When and why were borstals abolished
1982
60% went on to re offend
So harsher discipline of military was used
What methods are used today
Youth courts work w police and probation officers to help prevent young crimes
Sentence starts with fining parents
Custody is seen as the last resort
Attendance centres as last chance before custody
Tagging and curfews used to monitor movement
What is the story of derek Bentley
He had severe learning difficulties
Nov 1952, him and his friend Chris Craig were caught burgling a ware house
Bentley was caught
Chris had a gun and Bentley said to Chris let him have it
Chris shot police
Both were charged w murder
Derek sentence to death
What was the controversy behind derek Bentleys death
Let him have it - could be argued he was saying to Hand over the gun
Plus ppl thought if he should’ve been allowed to given his low intelligence
Parents and sister asked for a posthumous pardon
He was hanged 28 Jan 1953
Miscarriage of justice contributed to abolishment of death penalty
What was the for argument for the death penalty
- deterrent
- life imprisonment is expensive
- murderer may murder again
- avenged victims life
What is the argument against the death penalty
Other European countries abolished it
Mistakes were made and wrong person was executed
Murders were spur of the moment
Went against Christian belief
After ww2 holocaust it was seen as barbaric and went against United Nations human rights declaration
Story of Timothy evans
Evans and wife were lodgers at house of john Christie
Christie was a serial killer
Evans wife was pregnant Christie offered to do an abortion
Killed his wife
And Evan was charged for murder, but was found that Christie did it
Story of ruth ells
1956
Guilty of shooting her lover
She was in an abusive relationship
No doubt in her guilt but there was lots of public sympathy
