UNIT 4 AC 3.2: describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control Flashcards
Define “defensible space” and explain how it contributes to social control. (4 marks)
This is an area where there is a clear boundaries and it is obvious about who has the right to be in such locations. Oscar Newman argues that defensible spaces have 4 characteristics that enable social control through preventing crime:
1. Territoriality: the environment promotes a sense of ownership among residents. And there is a feeling that someone controls what they own. Clear layouts tell individuals that certain areas belong to certain people e.g. residential neighbourhoods with defines yards and wide gates.
- Surveillance: this refers to the features of buildings such as easily viewed entrances, street level windows which allow members of the public to see inside buildings and allow residents to overlook each other’s homes. While CCTV allows residents to easily look at their home while away and gives residents proof through recording if there is a break in.
- Safe image: the building design should give the impression of a safe neighborhood where residents look after each other. A negative image means the area will be stigmatized and targeted by offenders.
- Protected location: neighbourhoods located in the middle of a wider crime free area are more protected from criminals through a ‘moat’ of safetDy.
Define indefensible space and why it may lead to criminal activity.
Indefensible space are areas where there are no clear boundaries and properties are not protected.
Crime is more likely to occur in what Oscar Newman calls ‘confused’ areas of public space such as dimly lit stairwells.
E.g. he studied high-rise blocks in NYC & found that 55% of all crimes committed occurred in public spaces such as hallways, lifts, stairwells & lobbies.
Define ASBO’s and COB’s
ASBOs= Anti social behavioural orders:
They intend to tackle low level anti-social behaviours like vandalism and public deviance.
COBs= Criminal behaviour orders:
They replaced ASBOs and deal with serious anti-social behaviour like harassment/stalking
What is an example of crime prevention through environmental design?
Example 1:
Alice Coleman concluded that poor design of blocks across the London borough led to an increase in crime.
She concluded that three design features encouraged crime; anonymity, lack of surveillance, and easy escape
She recommended, no more blocks or flats should be built, each existing block should have its own garden or private space so residents would look after it. And overhead walkways should be removed as the obstruct surveillance.
Proof: the removal of overhead walkways led to 50% reduction in crime
How do ASBOs and COB’s contribute to social control?
If someone breaks their ASBO, they can face up to five years in prison. This deters deviant behaviours like vandalism. However, according to labelling theory, ASBOs only lead to individuals internalising themselves as criminal and acting accordingly when labels are placed on them.
COBs tackle deviant behaviour as well as serious anti-social behaviours. A person who breaks the conditions of their COB will still face up to five years in prison, however, COBs also have positive and negative requirements.
Negative requirements restrict people from going certain places, seeing specific people and engaging in some activities.
Positive requirements may require add something to their life that benefits their behaviour in a positive way. For example, if someone committed a drug offense, they’d need to join drug treatments.
How do token economies contribute to social control?
Agencies such as prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and young offender institutions to reshape inmate behaviour (through positive and negative reinforcement/operant conditioning).
However, studies have found that when offenders leave prison, the effects of token economies do not last as offenders will not be rewarded for following societal standards and expectations like they do in prison. Although, offenders who are treated with token economies return to crime at a slower rate then criminals who aren’t treated with token economies.
How do institutional tactics contribute so social control?
Institutions range from the schools, workplaces, religious organisations, armies and prisons
Sanctions: can be positive or negative e.g. punishments and rewards
Criminal justice institutions are the courts and probation services.
The courts can sentence offenders to various punishments for their offences and this can be used for individual and general deterrence.
Punishments can put someone off from committing another offence and serve as a lesson for the general public.
Also, the courts can use community sentences to rehabilitate offenders by underground drug treatments and changing behavioural patterns.
The probation services monitor and supervise the behaviour of offenders, whether serving community services and or released from prison on licence. If caught out of line, they can be sent back to prison or to court for resentencing.
Prison rules are a set of prison rules that apply to all prisons. A prison governor can add further local rules for their prison as well. The prison rules cover;
Offending, threatening or hurting someone
Preventing staff from performing their jobs
Escaping from prison
Using drugs or alcohol
Not doing as the staff tells you
Breaking rules can lead to a range of punishments including a caution, loss of earned privileges, cellular confinement, and being prevented from working.
Phased discipline or staged discipline is a common way of attempting to achieve social control. A first time offence, whether in prison or wider society, is dealt with more leniently,
While repeat offending, if more serious can be met with harsher cautions such as more prison time.
