Understand Measures Used In Social Control Flashcards
What are the agencies of social conrtrol?
Police CPS Judiciary Prisons Probation Charities Pressure groups
What is the aim of the police?
Reduce crime and maintain law and order
What are the roles of the CPS?
Decided which cases should be prosecuted
Determine the appropriate charges and advise the police
Prepare cases and present them at court
Provide information, assistance and support for victims
What are the two tests required for a prosecution to take place?
Evidential test
Public interest test
What is the evidential test?
‘is there enough evidence to prosecute’
Evidence needs to be reliable and credible
Enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction
What is the public interest test?
Is it in the publics interest to take the case to court
What is the role of the judge?
Make decisions about the law
Interpret the law if it is unclear and set precedent for other courts to follow
What are the two oaths judges take?
Oath of allegiance
Judicial oath
What is the prisons role?
Keep those sentenced to prion in custody
Help them lead law-abiding lives
What is the role of the probation service?
Support rehabilitation
Protect the public
Ensure once offenders are released they don’t reoffend
What are the three environmental methods
CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
Gated lanes
Prison design
What is CPTED?
How a neighbourhood is deigned to prevent crime from occurring
Altering the physical environment so crime is less likely to happen
What are some weaknesses of CPTED?
Not all crimes can be tackled this way - for example domestic abuse
Suggests criminals operate in hidden places when this is not always the case - graffiti
Visibility docent always put someone off committing a crime
What are gated lanes?
Lockable gates at the end of alleyways and passages to prevent crime
How do gated lanes potentially prevent crime?
Can prevent burglary/drug offences as people are blocked from entering or escaping
What are some weaknesses of gated lanes?
Expensive to put in place
Nuisance - blocks off easier pathways
What are the two types of prison design?
Panopticon (all seeing)
Supermax (most secure)
How does a panopticon prison reduce crime?
Allows an observer to view all prisoners without them being able to tell they’re being watched.
The design ensures a sense of permanent visibility that ensures the functioning of power.
How does a supermax prison reduce crime?
The design emphasises security and control
Inmates alone for 23 hours
What are the weaknesses of a supermax prison?
Very expensive - 3x more than traditional prison
Rehabilitation programmes are limited - increase in mental health problems and behaviour is not changed
Seen as unethical
What are the behavioural methods of social control?
ASBOs (Anti Social Behaviour Order)
CBOs (Criminal Behaviour Order)
Token economy
What is an ASBO?
A court order given to restrict the behaviour of a person likely to cause harm or distress to the public
How long can an ASBO last and what age are they given?
An asbo can last for 2 years and is reviewed and watched.
Asbos can be given to anyone over the age of 10
How were asbos criticised?
Many critics suggested persistent offenders viewed them as desirable and as a badge of honour - reoffend
They were regularly breached - 56% breached in 2009
What is a CBO?
Replaced ASBOs in 2014
An order that tackles the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals
Try to change behaviour
What are the strengths of CBOs in preventing crime?
Sets boundaries - shows others what’s acceptable and deters people from being anti-social
Rehabilitation - receive help from the correct agencies , behaviour is changed which prevents further crime being committed
What are the limitations of CBOs?
Not always effective - people still reoffend
Expensive - $4,450 a month to detain
Frequently disobeyed
What is token economy?
Behaviour modification designed to increase desirable behaviour
Use of tokens that are exchanged for privilege/meaningful objects
Encourages desired behaviour
What are the strengths of token economy?
Rewarded immediately - knows what behaviour is seen as desirable
Rewards are equal
Individuals learn new skills
What are the weaknesses of token economy?
Seen as dehumanising
Too simple
Some behaviour can’t be changed
Can be seen as a form of punishment
What are the institutions of social control?
School
Religion
Prison
Government
