3.4 Evaluate effectiveness of agencies achieving social control

Question 1

Police:
1) Other agencies apart from police that investigate crime?
2) One example of the publication of ineffectiveness?
3) What’s the % of cases resulting in charges?
4) How has the police usage of media been ineffective?

Answer 1

1) HM Revenue and Customs, Department of works and pensions – benefit fraud, Border Force
2) McPherson Report – Stephen Lawrance – institutional racism
3) 2014 = 15%, 2024 = 6%
4) 2014 police invited BBC to film the raid and arrest of Sir Cliff Richard – seen to bolster image

Question 2

CPS:
1) On average across 3months how many are prosecuted?
2) What do critics argue the CPS should focus on?
3) CPS Budget cuts?
4) relationship with police ?

Answer 2

1) In an average 3-month period, 80k prosecuted in crown court and 450k in magistrate’s court – 80% are convicted
2) Critics argue the CPS should focus on justice rather than trial outcomes and maintaining their record
3) 30% loss from 2011-2020, digital tech adds workload e.g. Liam Allens case
4) Work to closely with the police but still lack of communication – people find out their cases have been dropped via social media

Question 3

Judiciary:
1) Why are judges criticised?
2) Example of judges giving out harsh sentences?

Answer 3

1) 70% male, more than half over 50, only 7% BAME, 75% privately educated
2) 2024 riots – face the full force of the law

Question 4

Prisons:
1) How have budget cuts influenced prisons effectiveness?
2) Violent disorders?
3) What is the re-offending rate?

Answer 4

1) Budget cuts = 15% = less staff (Lost 1/3 staff between 2017-2020), less rehab, overcrowding, shorter sentences
2) Increased frequency e.g. 2016 Birmingham Riots, 2025 Hesham Abedi (Manchester bombings) assaulted 3 officers
3) Re-offending rates = 48%, 64% in 2yrs

Question 5

NPS:
1) What was the Rehabilitation Revolution?
2) What are some limitations of CRCs?
3) Limitations of NPS?

Answer 5

1) Rehabilitation revolution = part privatisation of the NPS – CRC – Low risk offenders
2) Offenders often supervised over the phone, larger caseloads for officers – terminated contract in 2020
3) National shortage in probation officers, not enough to support specialist services, higher workload so lower standards, premises are outdated

Question 6

Charities and Pressure Groups:
1) How do these groups prevent crime?
2) One example of a law passed following a pressure group campaign ?
3) Example of a pressure group that works now?
4) Limitations of them?

Answer 6

1) Charities mainly focus on one area so help prevent crime as they stay committed to 1 area
2) Snowdrop Campaign after Dunblane Shooting in 1996 led to the Firearms Amendment Act 1997
3) Nacro - In 2018, 5,000 in education services + 3,000 tenants, Ban the Box Campaign
4) Voluntary, so only occur when someone cares about a particular issue