3.2 - Describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control Flashcards
(104 cards)
Environmental Tactics / Measures
- Design
- Gated lanes
What is Environmental Design?
Environmental Design relates to physical alterations to a neighbourhood which can reduce crime by natural surveillance of clear, open spaces and increase the likelihood of detection and apprehension of offenders.
The idea has been extended to the design of prisons which reduces further offending.
How can the built environment affect crime?
Environmental Design
The built environment can affect the level of crime in two ways:
1. By influencing potential offenders, e.g., presenting them with opportunities to commit crime.
1. By affecting people’s ability to exercise control over their surroundings.
Agencies such as architects, builders, town planners, and local councils can ‘design crime out’ by changing the physical layout of an area.
What is the ‘Broken Window’ Theory?
Link to Environmental Design
The ‘broken window’ principle demonstrates how neglected areas encourage further crime as they show visible signs of crime and anti-social behaviour.
This promotes graffiti, public drinking, substance abuse, and more serious crimes such as theft, criminal damage, and physical assaults (Wilson and Kelling).
What does ‘indefensible’ mean in relation to crime?
Environmental Design
Indefensible spaces are those where people do not feel a sense of ownership, leading to higher crime rates.
In Oscar Newman’s study, 55% of crimes in high-rise blocks occurred in public spaces like hallways and lifts.
What is an example of an indefensible space in a case study?
Environmental Design
An example of an indefensible space is the stairwell block of flats where Damilola Taylor was stabbed.
This incident highlights the dangers of spaces perceived as public and unowned.
What factors contribute to defensible spaces?
Environmental Design
Defensible spaces have lower crime rates due to factors like territory, natural surveillance, a safe image, and a safe location.
These factors encourage a sense of ownership and community.
What is meant by ‘natural surveillance’?
Environmental Design
Natural surveillance refers to environmental design features that allow people to see what is happening around them, such as open housing, good lighting, and low bushes.
These features help deter crime by increasing visibility.
What is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)?
Environmental Design
CPTED is based on the idea that some crime arises from opportunity due to the physical surroundings which can be altered to minimize that crime.
What key concepts does CPTED promote?
Environmental Design
CPTED promotes surveillance, access, territoriality, and physical and ordered maintenance.
What does the ‘line of determination’ refer to in CPTED?
Environmental Design
The ‘line of determination’ refers to creating boundaries that signal territory, indicating to offenders that they are not welcome.
How can physical modifications enhance safety in residential areas?
Environmental Design
Simple modifications, such as tending a garden, suggest that residents care and are watchful, promoting safer residential areas.
(Brown and Altman 1981)
What are some examples of innovations in CPTED?
Environmental Design
Innovations may include traffic lights, speed cameras, and roadside checkers, which strengthen formal surveillance.
Does CPTED apply only to domestic areas?
Environmental Design
No, CPTED can also relate to businesses, schools, individuals, or communities.
Is it true that all crime occurs in run-down or dark areas?
Environmental Design
No, it is not true that all crime is committed in such spaces, but CPTED is still highly effective.
How to improve - Open spaces
Environmental Design
- Offenders can be seen approaching and acting and hence are deterred as offenders can be observed and identified.
- Gravel path ways means a person can be heard approaching.
How to improve - Full and Bright lighting
Environmental Design
- Avoid dark areas where crime can be conducted unseen.
- Offenders can be observed and identified. Eg on stairwells in flats.
- Light alleyways.
- Lights that come on when getting dark or property approached.
How to improve - Clear lines of sight
Environmental Design
- Early warning signs of crime can be observed.
- Create clear line of sight.
- Create straight pathways and alleyways.
- Keep hedges and plants low.
How to improve - Remove, obsticles, no blind spots, lighting to see around corners
Environmental Design
- Remove ability to hide if observed will deter cautious.
- Low level bushes. Removes places for substance abuse, fly tipping, dog fouling.
How to improve - Transparent and secure doors/ windows
Environmental Design
Open entrance, visibility of people calling to the property. Secured locks, entry coms, open corridors, dusk-to-dawn lighting, mirrors.
Prison desighn
Environmental Design
- PRISON DESIGN is an environment which can impact on criminality within the prison.
- There are a variety of prison styles used by the UK Prison Service and in other nations.
What is the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
The Panopticon is a style of institutional building and a system of control introduced by Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century.
Who introduced the Panopticon?
Prison desighn
Jeremy Bentham introduced the Panopticon in the 18th century.
When was the first Panopticon built?
Prison desighn
The first Panopticon was built in the 1920s.