Unit4 3.2 Flashcards
Tactics and measures used by agencies- environmental design What it it
This involves what a neighbourhood looks like and how it’s designed which both have an impact on criminality and reduces crime in the area.
This theory originates from criminologist C. Ray Jeffry is known as the crime prevention through environmental design CPTED pronounced sep-ced.
This is based on the simple idea that crime results partly from the opportunities presented by the physical environment. Due to this it should be possible to alter the physical environment so crime is less likely to happen.
Environmental design- how can crime be reduced
Crime can be reduced by-
- creating open spaces with strong lighting, to provide clear visibility
- a lack of hiding places to enable people to see blind spots
- low level bushes allowing a clear visible sight line
- gated lanes- gates installed at the entrance to rear alleyways in order to deter burglars from using alleys to gain entry to a property.
Closed stairways result in low level visability and easy access to escape. Damilola taylor died in a concrete stairwell on a condemned housing estate. This murder resulted from a breakdown in societies values and a right realist approach would suggest a tough stance to crimes.
Environmental design- What is the positives of crime prevention through environmental design
-it promotes a sense of ownership, for example graffiti taking place in very visible locations
This could relate to the functionalist view of crime whereby positive boundary maintenance is achieved. Brown and Altman 1981 found that physical modifications suggested resident care and watchfulness help to promote safer residential settings.
Tactics and measures used by agencies- Prison design
This can impact on crime. The traditional prison design is the panopticon (all seeing shape). The concept of the design is to allow an observer to view all prisoners without the prisoners being able to tell if they are being watched.
The building has a tower at the centre, from which it is possible to see each cell in which a prisoner is kept. In other words visability is a trap. Prisoners can be seen but cannot communicate with the prison officers or other prisoners. The crowd is abolished.
The design ensures a sense of permanent visability that ensures the functioning of power.as a consequence the innmates police themselves for the fear of punishment as they do not know if they are being watched.
Prison design- other prison designs
There are other prison designs such as the American superman jails. These are the most secure (super maximum) levels of custody. The objective is to provide long term segregated housing for prisoners who represent the highest security risks, including those who are the threat to national and international security.
For example Florence Colorado holds some of the most notorious American terrorists and murders in solitary confinement. A supermax prison costs 2 or 3 times more to build and operate than a traditional maximum security prison
A very alternative prison design is that of Bastoy in Norway which has been classed as a human ecological prison. Critics suggest the design as akin to a holiday camp where prisoners live in houses that are set in a self sustaining village, rather than cells. However this left realist approach to criminality produces a very low reoffending rate of 20% compared to 60% in the uk.
Environmental design- example
Gated lanes
These are gates that are installed at the entrance to rear alleyways in order to deter burglars or other criminals from using them to gain unlawful access from the rear of houses. Government regulations came in to force on 1st April 2006 giving local authorities powers to erect gates on public highways to combat the crimes and anti social behaviour
E.g.
a gated lane scheme in Preston Lancashire has proved popular with residents giving them a feeling they can reclaim their streets. Alley gates have also been erected across Cardiff in an attempt to combat law and disorder. The residents in favour suggested that it has reduced crime and prevented rubbish being dumped in the lanes but others have suggested that approximately 4000 to provide one gate at either end of an alley.
Tactics and measures used by agencies- behavioural tactics asbo,cbo,token economies
These are tactics used by agencies to change a persons behaviour to make them more socially complaint. The anti social behavioural orders were introduced in 1998 to limit and correct low levelled anti social behaviour which would often involve swearing and drinking. However they were not without controversy and many critics suggested that persistent offenders viewed them as desirable and as a badge of honour. They were regularly breached and according to the civil rights group liberty 56% of ASBO’S were breached in 2009. It is perhaps not surprising that ASBO’S were eventually replaced with criminal behavioural orders
The CBO is available under the anti social behaviour, crime and placing act 2014 for the use against antisocial offenders who have committed behaviour that has caused harassment, alarm and distress-the same test that was used for ASBO. Under the order person who has convicted would be banned from taking part in certain activities or going to certain places and would be required to try changing their behaviour for example by attending a drug treatment centre. This requirement is the main difference between the old and the new orders. A breach could see an adult face up to 5 years in prison.
Token economies are another method of behavioural control. They are based on the psychological concept of behaviour modification rewarding positive behaviour and punishing negative behaviour . Desired behaviour may consist of things like following rules, keeping clean, keeping their cell clean, no intimidation, no fighting, no further criminal activities, seek a job and be industrious. In reward for these behaviours financial payment or rewards such as extra visiting time is given.
Token economy is seen as an effective form of social control in the long term rather than the short scale e.g. Hobbs and holt 1979). But a limitation maybe that when the offender gets out of prison they wont have the token economy implemented in their regular day to day life making the offender not want to behave positively in society as they know they wont be rewarded if they do so.
This approach could be seen as a link to the individualistic theories of criminality. Linked to how an individual learns and reacts to life experiences and how control is exercised
Tactics and measures used by agencies - institutional tactics
These are institutions that have their own methods or tactics of controlling undesired behaviors. Prison as mentioned earlier must impose rules to keep control and prevent further crimes from happening.
Rules that need to be followed in prison
- behaving in a way that does not offend, threaten or hurt anyone else
- not stopping prison staff from doing their jobs
- not causing damage to the prison itself
-complying with all the requests made by prison staff and officials
Examples of punishments if the prison rules are broken
- a caution
- privileges could be taken away from you for up to 42days
- up to 84 days with of any money you earn could be stopped
- you could be locked up in a cell by yourself away from other prisoners for up to 35 days. This is called cellular confinement
As well as prison other institutes have their own rules for preventing disorder. Schools may impose detention for rule breaking such as earring the incorrect uniform.
Both the law society and the general medical council are institutions that provide rules and punishments for their members. The law society can ultimately discipline solicitors by removing them from the roll of solicitors preventing them from practicing. They can also punish doctors by disqualfying them from the medical profession.
Tactics and measures used by agencies-gaps in state provision
Despite agencies in the crimin justice system using tactics or mechanisms to prevent crime from taking place there are still many gaps in the state or provision. Unreported crime is often referred to as the dark figure of crime. The police can only detect crime if it is brought to their attention. if they are unaware of the crime, it can never be punished. It is estimated that a reported crime can count for a large percentage of crime, even larger than the percentage reported to the police.
Domestic abuse -is often an area that goes unreported. potentially the fear of further abuse and violence can prevent offending being reported, alternatively, the victim does not want the attacker to be in trouble within the police due to a misguided, loyalty or affection.
Likewise, white collar crime can be unreported due to a lack of proof that a crime has occurred or the time gap between the crime taking place and it being noticed.
Budget cuts can impact upon criminal cases being tackled, especially within the police service. With cries of a lack of police officers on the beat and too many cases being dealt with by cautions money is inevitable something that produces a gap in the state provision.
Often their requirement to adhere to one set of laws can prevent others being implemented, creating a gap in provision . According to the Sun newspaper newton dunn 2015 1/3 of those who have won against the UK at the European court of human rights are terrorists have used human rights act 1998 to remain in the UK and avoid deportation
