Policy change - LO4

Question 1

SOCIOLOGICAL - what is restorative justice? (crime control policy)

Answer 1

This is a method that encourages the offender to take responsibility for the crimes that they have committed. In minor cases victims can be asked if they want to be involved with restorative justice where they would meet with the offender in a controlled setting and discuss how the crime has impacted them.

Question 2

SOCIOLOGICAL - evaluate the use of restorative justice?

Answer 2

STRENGTHS - RJ has been shown to reduce post traumatic stress disorder in victims and sometimes motivate offenders to turn away from crime.

LIMITATIONS - RJ relies on the co operation of all parties which is not always achievable. Some victims may not want to face their or their loved ones perpetrators.

Question 3

SOCIOLOGICAL - what is the multi agency model?

Answer 3

This is where different agencies in society (such as the police, social services, media, religion, schools etc) co operate as it is believed that they all play a part in improving a persons “moral context.”

FOR EXAMPLE- cooperation between the prison service, police, law enforcement agencies and probation services to crackdown on a surge in the number of drones smuggling drugs and phones into prisons in England and Wales.

Question 4

SOCIOLOGICAL - evaluate the use of the multi agency model.

Answer 4

STRENGTHS -Left wing socialists encourage communication between these agencies as it allows early intervention to take place with families/individuals at risk and therefore reduce crime.

LIMITATIONS -
*right wing socialists think this is too idealistic, and that harsh punishments and control would be a better way to reduce crime.

Question 5

SOCIOLOGICAL - what is zero tolerance policy? (crime control policy)

Answer 5

This involves persistent order maintenance and aggressive law enforcement, against even minor crimes. This is favoured by right realists.

FOR EXAMPLE - A policy of responding with criminal charges to even the most minor offences was implemented in the UK, cut crime by 20% in 18 months, and therefore was successful.

Question 6

SOCIOLOGICAL - evaluate the use of zero tolerance policies.

Answer 6

LIMITATIONS -
*accusations of heavy-handedness by police.
*crime has fallen in areas without zero tolerance policing.
*the possibility of racial tension if people feel victimised, which has been the case in the USA.
*Marxist theory would view zero-tolerance as a means of social control and focuses on crimes committed by the working classes rather than the crimes committed by the upper classes

Question 7

SOCIOLOGICAL - what is penal populism? (crime control policy)

Answer 7

Penal populism refers to the Government’s attempts at introducing laws to punish offenders that will appeal to the general public.

FOR EXAMPLE - as a result of the James Bulger murder in 1993 when, with huge media attention and rising public concern, political parties decided to get tough on crime.

Question 8

SOCIOLOGICAL - What are custodial and non-custodial sentences? (crime control policy)

Answer 8

FORMAL
The core principles of custodial sentences are incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation.
In the UK we also have non-custodial sentencing, (an alternative to prison). The most frequently used non-custodial sentences are fines , probation (supervised for specific period), Reparation & restitution (to undertake specified activities to ‘repay’ either society or the victim).

Question 9

SOCIOLOGICAL - evaluate the use of custodial and non custodial sentences.

Answer 9

LIMITATIONS - This is not always effective. The percentage of criminals that reoffend after leaving prison is 47% in the first year. This shows that prison may not rehabilitate people for them to reintegrate back into society correctly.

Question 10

SOCIOLOGICAL - what is CCTV? (crime control policy)

Answer 10

FORMAL
CCTV is designed to change the environment within which crime occurs, rather than trying to change the attitudes of offenders.

FOR EXAMPLE - the James Bulger case, CCTV showed the boy being led away by his killers in a shopping centre.

Question 11

SOCIOLOGICAL - evaluate the use of CCTV.

Answer 11

LIMITATIONS - CCTV is more effective when directed at reducing crimes such as theft of vehicles and vandalism, while it has no impact on levels of violent crime.

STRENGTHS - As an investigative technique, it can provide compelling evidence and identifies suspects and witnesses.

Question 12

BIOLOGICAL - Describe the death penalty. (state punishment policy)

Answer 12

FORMAL
It has been said that capital punishment should be used for those cases of people who are ‘born criminal’s. Lombroso believed that these types of people were ‘stigmata’ and should be removed from society, therefore the death penalty should be put into place so we can have better social order.

Question 13

BIOLOGICAL - Evaluate the use of the death penalty.

Answer 13

LIMITATIONS -
*In the UK there was a temporary abolition of the death penalty in 1965. The murder rate did not soar as a result of the abolition, and so a permanent abolition of it for crimes such as murder took place in 1969. It has been shown that states in America that do not have the death penalty have 25% lower murder rates. This suggests the death penalty is not a deterrent from crime at all.
*As well as this, people often kill in the heat of the moment, typically under the influence or suffering with mental illness. and so t is unlikely that these individuals will make rational decisions based of fear of the consequences (capital punishment).

Question 14

BIOLOGICAL - what is eugenics?

Answer 14

Eugenics argued for the improvement of human genetic qualities. Eugenics reinforces ‘biological determinism’ (the idea that a person’s personality/behaviour is caused by their inherited genes over social factors).

This policy wants higher rates of sexual reproduction among people with desirable traits (positive eugenics) and reduced rates of sexual reproduction and even sterilisation of people with less-desired traits (negative eugenics), they argued that this therefore reducing the risk of bringing more criminals into the world.

Question 15

BIOLOGICAL - evaluate the theory of eugenics.

Answer 15

STRENGTHS -
* supportive evidence, Osborn and West in the 1970’s found 40% of boys whose fathers had criminal records had criminal records themselves, compared with the 12% of boys whose fathers did not have a criminal record.

Question 16

BIOLOGICAL - what are neurochemicals/diet? (crime control policy)

Answer 16

FORMAL
All prisons have now attached to embrace the Balance of Good Health model and provide nutritionally balanced and healthy diets. It has been shown that the brain’s chemistry can be influenced by diet, for example food additives and by drugs such as steroids. This can influence a persons behaviour.
Virkkunen et al. found that violent offenders had lower than average serotonin levels. This can be treated by a diet with foods that contain serotonin.

Question 17

BIOLOGICAL - evaluate the use of neurochemicals/diet.

Answer 17

STRENGTHS - it is possible for diet to positively impact on aggressive behaviour, which in turn may result in less crime.

LIMITATIONS - not everyone with a poor diet commits crimes (suggests there are other factors), as well as this people may have allergies or financial obstacles and so they cannot commit to a healthy diet.

Question 18

INDIVIDUALISTIC - what is psychoanalysis?

Answer 18

Psychoanalysis, founded by Freud, aims to access unconscious, repressed thoughts, which are believed to have led to the criminal activity. This method assumes that psychological problems, caused during development or repressed trauma, are embedded in the unconscious mind. The treatment then tries to bring the repressed thoughts to consciousness where they can be dealt with.

Question 19

INDIVIDUALISTC - evaluate the use of psychoanalysis.

Answer 19

LIMITATIONS -
*it is very time consuming and unlikely to provide quick answers.
*ethical issues as forces client to relive painful memories that were deliberately repressed.

Question 20

INDIVIDUALISTIC - what is behaviour modification?

Answer 20

Desirable behaviours are reinforced and strengthened, whereas undesirable behaviours are punished are weakened. So criminal behaviour is punished in order to weaken the thought-process leading to the illegal behaviour.

TOKEN ECONOMY SYSTEM - This is when a token is given for the desired action, which is later exchanged for a ‘treat’ and offenders are punished for undesirable behaviour.

BUDDY SYSTEM - adult volunteers are assigned to a young offender to provide consistent reinforcement for socially acceptable ways of acting.

Question 21

INDIVIDUALISTIC - evaluate the use of behaviour modification policies.

Answer 21

LIMITATIONS -
*(token economy) it is said this system was only effective short-term with offenders rather than long-term.
*(buddy system) this appears to have improved the behaviour of serious offenders, its impact on those who had committed less serious offences was mixed.

Question 22

INDIVIDUALISTIC - what is anger management?

Answer 22

This aims to prevent violent offences taking place by people unable to control their anger. Novaco suggests that because offenders cannot deal effectively with their anger, it tends to be expressed in anti-social ways and displaced onto inappropriate targets. And so CB techniques are used to help offenders deal more effectively with anger.

Question 23

INDIVIDUALISTIC - evaluate the use of anger management.

Answer 23

LIMITATIONS - once training has stopped, the benefit from it can often be forgotten and even totally disappear in the long term.

STRENGTHS - These social skills training can help people become more socially competent and reduce the risk of offending or re-offending.

Question 24

SOCIAL CHANGES - how did social change influence the development of policies around smoking? (public perception)

Answer 24

The public perception of smoking in public changed over time, which encouraged the development of laws to protect people from passive smoking.
In 1930s, it was the social norm to smoke cigarettes. It was seen as glamorous and even encouraged by doctors.
Several pieces of research were published in the 1950s, highlighting the dangers of smoking, including a link between tobacco and lung cancer.​ In 1965, tobaccos industries were required to put health warnings on their product. The Children and Families Act 2014 prohibited smoking in vehicles when children are passengers.

Question 25

SOCIAL CHANGE - how did social change influence the development of policies around homosexuality? (public perception)

Answer 25

Over time we have seen a change in attitudes towards homosexuality, increased levels of tolerance and acceptance​ as social stigma has declined​. Diversity is now embraced and celebrated​. In the 16th century, homosexual acts were punishable by death. In 1967, homosexuality was decriminalised and age of consent set to 21 (this was lowered in line with heterosexual sex in the year 2000). 2010 – Equality Act means it is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Question 26

SOCIAL CHANGE - how did social change influence the development of policies around domestic abuse? (social structure)

Answer 26

The changing role of women has had a massive influence over policy development. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a massive comeback of feminist activity and a change in the role of women. Changes in laws around domestic violence have come about as the awareness of these issues has become more apparent. The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 has put protection into place for those suffering long term abuse within families and relationships. 1992 – Domestic Violence classed as a crime.

Question 27

SOCIAL CHANGE - how did social change influence the development of policies around racism? (social structure, attitudes and culture change)

Answer 27

Definition: Prejudice, discrimination, or resentment by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalised. This can be casual, direct, or systematic. *Structure of society has changed​ 1999 MacPherson Report- report done after the racially motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence. The report found the police force were institutionally racist and changes in the structure of the police must take place. *Changing attitudes in society​ *Cultural changes 2010 Equality Act- says you must not be discriminated against because of your race. *Media campaigning and pressure groups 2020 Black Lives Matter movement- the largest movement in both the UK and US on racial discrimination and injustice. ​

Question 28

SOCIAL CHANGE - how did social change influence the development of policies around disability? (cultural change and attitudes)

Answer 28

Definition: a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. Attitudes have gradually changed over the years towards disability, both physical and mental. *Changing attitudes in society​ *Cultural changes ​ *Increasing drive for equality e.g. The Equality Act 2010​ 1995 Disability Discrimination Act: gives rights to disabled people to prevent discrimination on the grounds of disability. *Media campaigning and positive press on events such as the Paralympics in 2012.

Question 29

SOCIAL CHANGE - how did social change influence the development of policies around assisted suicide? (public perception)

Answer 29

Assisted suicide is the act of deliberately assisting another person to kill themselves. Although suicide itself is no longer a criminal act, under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 it remains a criminal offence for a third party to assist or encourage another to commit suicide. In recent years there has been something of a shift in public and medical opinion as to whether assisted suicide should remain completely criminal.

Question 30

SOCIAL CHANGE - How did social change influence the development of policies around FGM? (cultural change and public perception)

Answer 30

FGM is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is usually practiced for cultural or religious reasons and is believed to control female sexuality. However, as individuals with no medical training usually perform the procedure on girls that have been given no anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment, and are often forcibly restrained, it can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health. FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985.

Question 31

CAMPAIGNS - how did newspaper campaigns influence the development of policies?

Answer 31

Many newspapers frequently campaign on social issues that they feel are unjust. They do this to bring about social change in society and have the government make changes in laws. SARAHS LAW - The Guardian and News of the World’s campaign to allow people to know the whereabouts of released sex offenders after Sarah Payne was killed in 2000. CINDERELLAS LAW - newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph frequently wrote about how there needed to be a change of law on child abuse so that it included neglect and emotional abuse as well as physical. It took three years of campaigning but the government eventually changed the law

Question 32

CAMPAIGNS - how did individual campaigns influence the development of policies?

Answer 32

An individual is more than capable to begin a campaign of their own if it is a situation they feel extremely passionate about. These campaigns tend to be small scale, possibly local to the person, but with the development of internet and social media, it is now possible for campaigns to go to a national level. ‘FEED ME BETTER’ - Jamie Oliver decided that we were not educating children enough on how to eat healthy and started his own campaign to improved school dinners across the UK. CLARES LAW - This scheme enables the police to release information about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have, pioneered by Michael brown after the murder of Clare wood, his daughter, in 2009. (also used newspapers for a petition for the law to pass).

Question 33

CAMPAIGNS - how did pressure group campaigns influence the development of policies?

Answer 33

Pressure groups are organisations which campaign for changes in the law or new legislation in specific areas. They can have a strong influence on public opinion and voting behaviour. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - a campaign for the abolition of the death penalty across the world. They have been doing this for 40 years, and when they began that work in 1977, only 16 countries had totally abolished the death penalty. Today, that number has risen to 104

Question 34

what is informal policy making?

Answer 34

informal policy making is unofficial ideas to prevent crime from occurring. FOR EXAMPLE - grounding, confiscation of phone etc.

Question 35

What is formal policy making?

Answer 35

formal policy making is official ideas to prevent crime from occurring. FOR EXAMPLE - fines, custodial sentences and community service.