Briefly describe what is meant by internal social control. (7BP)
Social control refers to techniques and strategies for preventing criminal
behaviour in society.
* Internal social control involves regulating one’s own behaviour in
accordance with accepted forms
* It can be seen as one’s conscience, customs or values.
* It may be linked to religion or family traditions.
* Often, we conform to rules because our sense of self-respect demands it.
* Internal social control allows for the internalisation of social rules and
morality
* Some examples may be given and these may be linked to, for example,
religious fasts such as Ramadan or Lent, or they may be linked to why
people do not steal as it is governed by one’s conscience.
Examine the weaknesses of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in
achieving social control. (6BP)
- Candidates may argue that the CPS is an over-centralised and
bureaucratic organisation. - Candidates may refer to official reports such as Glidewell and Narey,
which reviewed the effectiveness of this agency. - The CPS has been found wanting in some areas, and it has been argued
to have made a number of prosecuting errors. For example, those relating
to Lord Janner and Damilola Taylor. - Concerns have been raised about the relationship between the CPS and
the police. Candidates may exemplify this by noting the difficulties
experienced during the efforts to prosecute Abu Hamza. - Further problems include the failure to disclose evidence in rape cases.
- Candidates may also note that in some cases the CPS has been liable to
pay damages. For example, the case of the radio presenter Paul
Gambaccini, who was paid damages for prosecution by the CPS
regarding unfounded sexual abuse charges.
Explain how the police may be perceived as an external form of social control. (8BP)
- External social control may be defined as influences that persuade or
compel a person to conform with rules so that they do not commit crime. - The threat of police action, such as arrest and detention, serves as an
external form of social control. - Many people have a fear of punishment and all the consequences of
being arrested by the police. It may result in a loss of a job, relationship or
housing problems. - If court proceedings follow, this may serve as a general deterrent to
society. - The shame or embarrassment of being arrested and questioned by the
police may act as a method of external social control. - The police may act as a pressure to try and persuade or compel members
of society to conform to the rules. - The police could be seen as using their power as coercion to achieve a
desired result. This may include the threat of future punishment for rule
breaking. - Candidates may refer to control theories such as Travis Hirschi or Walter
C Reckless.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the police and the probation service in
achieving social control. (10 and 7)
Police
* The police work in the community to prevent crime, keep the public safe,
and to combat anti-social behaviour.
* They issue notices ordering people to cease unacceptable behaviour and
referring matters to a court if necessary.
* There are many specialist units trained to deal with issues such as
terrorism or incidents involving weapons.
* They are often the first to appear at the scene of a crime and are always
contacted in an emergency.
* They provide crime prevention advice.
* Police can only investigate crimes that are reported to them (reference to
the dark figure of crime).
* Criticisms over failing to record crimes reported to them.
* Crimes not investigated can sometimes be deemed unsolvable in a
process known as “screening out”.
* Reference to cases from previous units, such as Colin Stagg, Stephen
Lawrence, and the Birmingham Six may be made.
* Police involvement in the Hillsborough Disaster may be addressed.
Probation Service
* Their main priority is to protect the public.
* They are frontline professionals who provide a localised delivery of
services to offenders.
* They supervise high-risk offenders and try to reduce reoffending.
* Issues regarding the part privatisation of the agency. A joint report in
June 2017 (HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of
Prisons, 2017), by the Chief Inspectors of Probation and Prisons says
staff are focused on paperwork and targets at the expense of prisoners.
* Criticisms that the work done by the 21 Community Rehabilitation
Companies (CRCs) are having a negligible impact on reducing prisoner
offending rates. The above report contains many criticisms that have an
impact on the effectiveness of the probation service.
* Criticisms include that too many prisoners have been released not
knowing where they would sleep that night. Also, in too many cases,
prisoners’ risk to the public has been inadequately assessed before
release.
* Credit relevant examples such as triple killer Joanne Dennehy who was
under the supervision of probation workers when she murdered three
men in 2013. Or David Braddon who, on probation with a CRC, murdered
− by beating to death − 18-year-old Conner Marshall in 2015.
Briefly explain the role of charities, such as Broken System, in social control
NACRO (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders)
* NACRO’s role is to change lives, build stronger communities and reduce
crime.
* It supports people, including those who have mental illnesses, who are in
custody, who have a drug addiction, young people and veterans.
* Between 2017 and 2018, NACRO helped 32,000 people and, 71% moved on
to sustainable accommodation.
* Their philosophy includes to focus on outcomes, and to be courageous,
inspiring, reliable and proud.
* Working practices include offering support online for matters such as
resettlement advice.
* They develop individually tailored resettlement action plans for people.
* They offer apprenticeships, traineeships and work programmes.
Prison Reform Trust
* This charity works to create a just, humane and effective penal system.
* Their objectives include to reduce unnecessary imprisonment and promote
community solutions to crime. Improve treatment and conditions for prisoners
and their families and to promote equality and human rights in the justice
system.
* They do not receive funding from the government and are entirely dependent
on voluntary donations.
* They carry out research on prison life and run campaigns to improve the
penal system, for example “Out of Trouble”, which sought to reduce the
number of children and young people in prison.
The Howard League for Penal Reform
* This is the oldest penal reform charity in the UK.
* It aims for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
* It works with Parliament, the media, numerous agencies in the criminal justice
system and members of the public.
* The charity is independent of the government and is funded by voluntary
donations and membership subscription.
* It runs campaigns such as “Books for Prisoners”, which won a charity award
in 2015.
Describe the contribution of environmental tactics and measures that are
used by agencies to achieve social control.
- Candidates may refer to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED). This proposes that the form and arrangements of buildings and
open spaces may encourage or discourage crime. - There may be reference to examples of design, including those that
encourage the use of transparent materials and green areas. - Candidates may also refer to gated lanes/alley gates. These restrict
access to lanes for potential criminal activity. They have been introduced
in several British towns and cities including Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool
and London. - Other innovations may include traffic light and/or speed cameras and
roadside checkers, which strengthen formal surveillance. - Candidates may use a range of examples to supplement their
descriptions. These may include successfully implemented environmental
measures such as changes to the New York bus terminal or Birmingham’s
Bull Ring market stalls. - There may also be reference to prison design, for example the
deployment of the panopticon and super-max designs as well as the use
of open prisons.
Briefly describe the limitations of charities in achieving social control. (5BP)
- Charities may be limited by their financial resources. They are generally funded
through voluntary donations and/or membership subscriptions. However, income
is not guaranteed and this may have an impact on their effectiveness. - Charities cannot force a government to note, act upon nor implement their
proposals. - Much of their work is dependent upon publicity and raising awareness of their
aims via the media. - Several charities are active in the area of social control; as such, support for their
activities may be shared with other charitable organisations. - Charities working in this sector must work in partnership with other agencies to
be effective. They are, therefore, often dependent on those agencies’ support of
their aims.
Briefly explain how recidivism can cause limitations for the prison service in achieving social control.
- Recidivism or persistent reoffending rates have increased, leading to a rise in the
prison population. - While recidivism is taking place, prisoners are not being rehabilitated and the
increasing prison population is having an impact on the ability to rehabilitate. In
other words it becomes a vicious circle. - Statistics from the Bromley Fact Files suggest a 41,000 increase in the number of
prisoners from between 1993 and 2015. - There is a lack of rehabilitation, which can add to the size of the prison
population. - A limited budget must be spent on an increasingly large prison population. This
further reduces the available resources. - The ratio between staff and prisoners has widened, leading to an increase in
violence directed towards both prisoners and staff. - With an increase in released prisoners, social provision is limited and this can
lead many prisoners to feel that they have few options and so they reoffend. This
limited provision may include finance, housing and employment.
Describe the contribution of environmental measures such as CCTV in achieving social control.
- Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is a key surveillance tool that is used regularly
by the police in criminal investigations. - This high-level technology can provide images to help secure a conviction.
- CCTV usage is widespread in communities, with local authorities, individuals and
business premises utilising them. - Cameras can be disguised so offenders are unaware that they are being filmed.
- CCTV may be used to demonstrate innocence as well as guilt.
- Candidates may support their description with an example. In the case of CCTV,
this could be the London riots in 2011. - CCTV may act as a deterrent and prevent people from committing offences for
fear of being caught. - However, it may be suggested that the high cost of CCTV may limit its
widespread effectiveness.
Discuss the role of social control agencies involved in bringing Ellie to justice.
Police
* Ellie will have been arrested, detained and interviewed by the police under their
powers outlined in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984).
* They receive and act upon contact from the public, for instance Poppy will have
reported the burglary to the police.
* The police have specialist teams such as the CID (Criminal Investigation
Department) who specialise in serious crimes such as burglary.
* Aspects such as structure, funding, working practices and reach may also be
credited.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
* The police will have sought permission from the CPS to charge Ellie with
burglary.
* They will prepare the case for court and attend the hearings to conduct the
prosecution on behalf of the Crown.
* They use a Full Codes Test to decide whether or not to prosecute, namely the
Evidential and Public Interest Test.
* Aspects such as structure, funding, working practices and reach may also be
credited.
Courts (including judiciary)
* As burglary is an either-way offence, there will be a mode of trial hearing to
decide which court will deal with Ellie’s case.
* The courts involved may include the magistrates’ court and Crown Court.
* The magistrates’ court will have a bench of three lay magistrates who decide both
the outcome of a case and the punishment. In a trial in a Crown Court there will
be a jury, who decide guilt or innocence. There is also a judge who will pass
sentence if the case is proved.
* Aspects such as structure, funding, working practices and reach may also be
credited.
Briefly describe how prisons serve as a method of social control
- The term social control refers to the techniques and strategies for preventing
criminal behaviour in any society. - The most visible form of external social control is exercised by people and
organisations specifically empowered to enforce conformity to society’s law. This
can include prisons. - Prison provides coercion or force to achieve the desired result of incarceration.
- Prison also acts as a deterrent, as some people fear it.
- Deterrence has two aspects: individual and general.
