responses to crime Flashcards
describe, in detail, the ways that the child hearing system can help young people in scotland
OR
describe, in detail, the roles of the childrens hearing system
It is impartial - A voluntary panel makes all decisions, rather than a judge and jury, with a focus on the wellbeing of the young person. For example, There are three members on the panel, all fully trained; there are 2,500 volunteer panellists across Scotland.
It provides a safe environment - The Hearing System allows for discussion of issues and problems in a comfortable and safe space, reducing anxiety for the young person. For example, There is an informal layout of the Hearing room, and young people can have a person of their choosing with them (a parent/relative/guardian/teacher); this makes the experience less intimidating.
It uses a multi-agency approach - The panel will receive input from various agencies trying to help the young person to move away from crime and anti-social behaviour. For example, The panel may hear from police officers, social workers, education (teachers, guidance), and other agencies (such as charity workers).
Describe, in detail, the sentencing powers of the Scottish courts.
Or
Describe, in detail, the ways in which the Scottish courts respond to crime.
Prison sentence - Prison sentences can be given at all levels of the Scottish courts, from the Justice of the Peace through to the Sheriff and High Courts; maximum sentence lengths vary according to the court. For example, The Justice of the Peace Court can impose a maximum sentence of 60 days, while the High Court can impose a life sentence.
Fines - Fines are a monetary payment given to the Court as a punishment; all Scottish courts can impose fines. The Justice of the Peace Court can give a maximum fine of £2,500, while the High Court can give an unlimited fine.
Community Payback Orders - These involve offenders carrying out unpaid work and rehabilitation as an alternative to being imprisoned. For example, Only 67% of Community Payback Orders were fully completed in 2016/17.
explain, in detail, why the criminal courts in scotland are effective in tackling crime
Winning the trust of the public - The high levels of public support found in research studies clearly shows that people think that the courts are doing a good job. For example, In a Scottish Crime and Justice Survey in 2017, a majority of 73% thought the courts made fair decisions based on the evidence.
Reducing crime - The crime rate has been declining in Scotland for several years, showing that sentences given by the courts are helping to rehabilitate criminals. For example, A 2020 survey showed that the volume of crime in Scotland had dropped by 46% in the past decade.
explain, in detail, why the criminal courts in scotland are ineffective in tackling crimes
High reoffending rates - This shows that sentences given by the courts are not providing good rehabilitation, especially for those sent to prison for minor crimes. 2021 figures show that 28% of offenders reoffend within one year of sentencing.
Public belief that sentences are too soft - Many people believe that sentences such as community service or short prison sentences are too soft, and do not provide suitable punishment. For example, In a 2017 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, a majority of 56% felt that court sentences did not fit the crime.
Describe, in detail, the powers of the Police.
Or
Describe, in detail, the ways in which the Police respond to crime.
Crime prevention - The Police try to prevent crime before it happens by holding education and awareness events in their local communities. For example, The Police may attend schools to promote anti-knife crime initiatives, or local community groups to inform people how to safely secure their properties.
Crime detection - CID officers will use a range of investigative techniques and specialist technology in order to investigate and solve crimes. For example, In 2021, the North East Division launched a ‘Cyber Enabled Crime Team’ based in Aberdeen to tackle the rise in cybercrimes.
Stop and search - The Police can stop and search people without a warrant if there is a suspicion of the illegal possession of drugs, weapons, or cash. For example, From April to September 2020, Police Scotland used stop and search more than 22,000 times.
explain, in detail, ways in which the police have been effective in tackling crime in scotland/UK
Successful drug operations - Through these operations, the Police can target drug suppliers through surveillance and intelligence, removing major dealers from the supply chain. For example, In Fife, Scotland, during Operation Prospect, 208 people were arrested on drug charges.
Successful use of speed cameras - Through using fixed and mobile speed cameras situated along busy roads, the Police can deter and detect people speeding or driving dangerously. For example, During a 2019 road safety campaign in Scotland, 423 speeding drivers and 1164 total driving offences were caught by speed cameras.
Success of the Violence Reduction Unit - This specialist unit works alongside other agencies like schools and social workers, and uses a public health approach to tackle violent crime. For example, Between 2007 and 2017, the homicide rate in Scotland declined by just under 50%.
explain, in detail, ways that the police have been ineffective in tackling crime in scotland/UK
Failure to tackle drug crimes - The Police have failed to halt the drug trade in Scotland, with Dundee nicknamed the ‘drugs death capital of Europe’ because of the number of overdose deaths. For example, Police Scotland figures show that drug crimes rose by 12% and drugs supply rose by 4% between 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Failure to tackle knife crime - The Police have failed to rid Scotland’s streets of knives, with an increase in people carrying and using knives to commit crime. For example, In the Lanarkshire Division, recorded knife crimes increased from 247 in 2014 to 395 in 2018, indicating a failure to address knife crime.
Failure to tackle drink and drug driving - The Police have failed to cut down on drink and drug driving in Scotland during the Covid-19 lockdown, placing lives at risk from impaired drivers. For example, Between April and September 2020, there were 4051 incidents, compared to 3102 the previous year, a significant increase showing how ineffective the Police have been.
explain, in detail, the reasons why prison is an effective punishment
Prisons remove dangerous offenders from society - Dangerous people who commit the worst offences, such as murder, can receive a life sentence, potentially locking them up for the rest of their lives. For example, For murdering Sarah Everard, in 2021 Wayne Couzens was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order,keeping the public safe from this murderer.
Prisons provide rehabilitation for offenders - Offender behaviour programmes and interventions aim to change the thinking, attitudes, and behaviours that can lead people to reoffend when released. For example, These programmes are targeted based on the needs of the offender, and use techniques such as CBT to address issues such as addiction or aggression.
Prisons are an effective deterrent - When people think about losing their freedom and see the harsh conditions prisoners have to live under, they will be put off committing crimes. For example, Prison conditions in the UK can be extremely harsh, with overcrowding and significant drug use creating dirty and dangerous environments.
explain, in detail, the reasons why prisons are ineffective
Prisons have high reoffending rates - These high reoffending rates lead to the belief that prison doesn’t work, and act as schools of crime where first-time offenders learn criminal skills. For example, In 2017-18, 26% of Scottish offenders were reconvicted within a year of release, highlighting the revolving door in prisons.
Prison is very costly - Prisons are extremely expensive, due to the need to pay for building maintenance, power, staff, food, and other costs. For example, The average cost per inmate per year in Scotland is about £38,000.
Prisons are badly overcrowded - Overcrowding stretches prison staff, leading to prisoners spending longer in their cells, causing tensions and restricting opportunities for rehabilitation. For example, In 2018, HMP Barlinnie was operating at 139% of its capacity.
explain, in detail, why non-custodial sentences are increasingly being used as alternatives to prison sentences in the UK
Electronic tagging is an effective alternative - Electronic tagging allows offenders to stay at home, and continue working or studying, and take part in family life. For example, 2018 figures for the UK show that those released early on electronic tags have increased by almost one third, showing that authorities believe they are effective.
Community Payback Orders (CPOs) are more effective than prisons - In Scotland, CPOs provide unpaid work opportunities for offenders, allowing them to develop skills while also paying back their local community. For example, A typical CPO might include 180 hours of unpaid work in the community, doing work such as tidying parks, cleaning graffiti, or simple construction tasks.
Non-custodial sentences can tackle drug addiction issues - Many offenders are addicted to drugs, and non-custodial sentences can include drug rehabilitation requirements to address these problems. For example, 63% of young prisoners have a substance abuse issue on admission to prison, and will be frequently exposed to drugs in prison.
explain, in detail, why non-custodial sentences are increasingly being used as alternatives to prison sentences in the UK (groups)
Community sentences provide YOUNG PEOPLE with new skills - Young people can complete community sentences under the supervision of experts, helping them to develop skills they can put in their CV to help them get a job and stay away from crime. For example, In Scotland, a young offender completing a Community Payback Order (CPO) may learn about gardening, decorating, or carpentry while completing a CPO.
Youth Inclusion Programmes help YOUNG PEOPLE to change offending behaviour - These programmes involve the support of their family and other agencies, providing a positive intervention to improve their offending behaviour. For example, Programmes can give extra help with school work or treatment for mental health issues and aggression, allowing the young person to move away from crime.
CPO’s help WOMEN maintain their family life - CPO’s are effective for women because they allow them to stay home with their families, meaning children do not have to enter care or go to a foster home. For example, A 2018 UK survey showed that two thirds (64%) of mothers are still the primary carer for their children; if they go to prison, these children are at risk.
explain, in detail, the reasons why non-custodial sentences are seen as ineffective
They are seen as a soft option - The public and media perception is that non-custodial sentences are a soft option and fail to punish the prisoner. For example, A 2019 survey found that 56% of respondents felt that sentencing in general was too lenient.
There are monitoring issues - Non-custodial sentences can be difficult to enforce and monitor. A significant number of offenders fail to complete their community service. For example, The completion rate for Community Payback Orders in Scotland has been around 70% since they were started.
It is easy to break curfews: Due to the lack of close supervision, any offenders break the curfew of Home Detention Curfews and commit crimes. For example, In 2017-18, 21% of tagged offenders broke their curfew conditions.
explain, in detail, why government responses to tackling crime have been effective
Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) has tackled excessive drinking - MUP means alcohol cannot be sold cheaper than 50p per unit, and this has led to less consumption, and therefore less alcohol-related offences. For example, Research shows that after MUP was introduced, there has been lower alcohol deaths, hospital admissions, and deaths.
Stricter mobile phone driving laws have lowered road-traffic offences - Driving while using a mobile phone increases the chance of being involved in an accident, so stricter new laws were introduced in 2017 to crack down on it. For example, Figures for Dumfries and Galloway showed a 71% reduction in mobile phone use while driving after the tougher laws were introduced in 2017.
Stricter drink-drive laws lowering the chances of drink-driving accidents - Driving while drunk increases the chances of an accident, so the Scottish Government lowered the limit to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. For example, BMA statistics show that people were 10X more likely to be involved in a road accident at the older limit (80mg) than the tougher new level.
explain, in detail, why government responses to tackling crime have been ineffective
The vast majority of air weapons remain unlicensed - The licensing law was supposed to ensure that all owners of air weapons were known to the police, and used their weapon responsibly. For example, In 2017, 92.8% of air weapons in Scotland remained unlicenced, highlighting the failure of the law.
Drivers are still using their mobile phones - Tougher penalties, including 6 licence points and £200 fines, were designed to make people think twice before using their phone when driving. For example, A Department for Transport study found 2% of Scottish drivers had been observed using a mobile phone, compared to just 0.6% of drivers in England and Wales.
People are still choosing to drink and drive - Despite the Scottish Government lowering the drink-drive limit to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, many people are still choosing to drink and drive. For example, University of Bath researchers found no change in the number of road traffic accidents involving alcohol after the change to the drink drive limit.
