Crime and Punishment in modern Britain c. 1900-present Flashcards

1
Q

Which decade saw the biggest changes to the law due to changing social attitudes?

A

The 1960s - a decade when there were many changes in social attitudes; many activities that were formerly crimes were decriminalised, while some activities were newly defined as crimes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What change to the law was there in 1967?

A

Sexual Offences Act. It decriminalised homosexual acts in private between two men, both of whom had to have attained the age of 21. The Act applied only to England and Wales and did not cover the Merchant Navy or the Armed Forces.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What change to the law was there in 1968 to reflect the growth in immigration from Commonwealth countries?

A

The Race Relations Acts was passed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What did the 1968 Race Relation Act make illegal?

A

It became illegal to refuse jobs, housing or public services to anyone on the basis of their race, ethnic background or country of origin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What extension was made to the 1968 Race Relations Act in 2006?

A

It was extended to include spreading racial or religious hatred as a crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What change was made in 1967 which affected women’s reproductive rights?

A

The Abortion Act was passed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What change was brought about by the Abortion Act?

A

The 1967 Abortion Act legalised abortion if certain conditions were met:

  1. The child was going to have serious disabilities;
  2. The mother was at risk of serious physical or mental harm if the pregnancy continued - this had to be verified by two doctors independently.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What was the legal limit for abortion (the latest stage at which an abortion could be carried out) in 1968?

A

28 weeks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Could a woman get an abortion legally before 1967?

A

No, Only in extreme exceptions where it was likely the mother might die as a result of the pregnancy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What was a ‘backstreet abortion up to 1967?

A

It was a dangerous and illegal way to end a pregnancy, carried out by someone without proper medical training, using alcohol, wire coat hangars or poisons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What change was made to the law in 1976 to protect people who were being abused within a relationship?

A

The Domestic Violence Act was passed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What right did the 1976 Domestic Violence Act give victims?

A

The right to ask for an injunction (check the definition of this word) against a violent partner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What further protection was given to married women in 1991?

A

Rape within marriage was recognised as a crime and it became possible for a husband to be prosecuted for raping his wife.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What further protection was introduced in 2014?

A

Controlling and coercive behaviour (using force or threats) towards a partner was made a crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What examples can you give of controlling and coercive behaviour?

A

Telling a partner who they can see, what they can wear, stopping access to money, controlling access to a phone and controlling when they leave the home.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What evidence suggests that, despite changes to the law, domestic violence continues to be a problem?

A

Two women in England and Wales a week are killed by their current or former partner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What 6 examples are there of crimes that have continued to be considered ‘social crimes’ which are accepted in society to some degree?

A
  1. Smuggling (or not paying duty on alcohol and cigarettes, for example)
  2. Minor driving offences
  3. Using illegal drugs
  4. Tax evasion
  5. Poaching
  6. Copyright theft
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How is copyright a social crime?

A

Many people download music, games and films from the Internet even though they are subject to copyright laws. Because they are widely and freely available, most people do not view this as criminal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Are minor driving offences still a social crime, accepted by a large part of the country?

A

To a lesser and lesser extent as time goes on. Drink driving was made illegal in the 19th century and today is widely condemned by the general public. The same is true of speeding.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What laws have been introduced to control drink driving since the 19th century?

A

1872 - Driving a horse-drawn carriage while drunk made illegal
1925 - Drink driving a car illegal
1967 - New law limiting the amount of alcohol a person can have in their blood stream and still drive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What has changed public perceptions to make drink driving and speeding less socially acceptable?

A

Advertising campaigns by the government as well as severe penalties which mean drivers found guilty of these offences can lose their license to drive or even be charged with manslaughter if a death occurs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

When did drug taking become illegal?

A

In 1971, when the Misuse of Drugs Act was passed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why do some people believe drug taking should be legal?

A

They argue that it only harms the individual who is making the decision to take the drugs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Why do some people believe drug taking should remain illegal?

A

They argue that it leads to dangers associated with drug dealing, sex trafficking and gang-related violence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

So, how has smuggling actually changed between the 18th/19th centuries and the modern period from 1900?

A
  1. The types of goods smuggled has changed from brandy, tea and cloth to illegal drugs, untaxed alcohol and tobacco, weapons and even people.
  2. Transport used has changed from sailing ships to air freight and rail.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

How has smuggling remained the same between the 18th/19th centuries and the modern period from 1900?

A
  1. Smugglers are still motivated by saving money or making profits.
  2. There is still a huge public demand for goods at cheaper prices.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What 6 examples can you give of old crimes that have new names or ways of being carried out?

A
  1. Terrorism
  2. People trafficking
  3. Cybercrime
  4. Fraud
  5. Copyright theft
  6. Extortion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is terrorism?

A

It is the use of violence,fear and intimidation to publicise a political cause.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

How old is terrorism?

A

Examples of terrorism are as old as mankind itself! The 1605 Gunpowder Plot is a famous example in this country. The terms ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’ originate from Russia in the late 19th century.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is people trafficking?

A

This involves people from poorer countries being brought to the UK and forced to work for little or no wages. Some women and children are forced into prostitution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Is people trafficking a new crime?

A

No, in the 19th century, poor girls were sold into prostitution. In the 1830s, the term ‘white slave trade’ was used to describe the victims of this crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Is cybercrime new?

A

Only the use of the Internet. Previously, these crimes were carried out using other means such as the postal service. The Internet makes cybercrime a much bigger problem because it can- be global.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What examples are there of modern crimes facilitated by the Internet?

A

Fraud, copyright theft and extortion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

In 1900, how many separate police forces were there in Britain?

A

200, covering every area.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Why was policing less efficient in 1900 at the start of this last time period?

A
  1. No central records on crime or criminals
  2. The 200 police forces rarely shared information or worked together
  3. The majority of any police officer’s day was spent ‘walking the beat’ - travelling on foot and using a whistle to raise the alarm or call for help.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Give four areas where policing became more effective and more expensive.

A
  1. Women were recruited into the police force (at first limited to working with children and female criminals and victims of crime)
  2. Greater emphasis on training (in 1947, the Police Training College was set up)
  3. Increased use of science and technology
  4. A move towards crime prevention
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What was set up in 1901?

A

Fingerprint Branch at the Metropolitan Police headquarters in New Scotland Yard.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

How did Fingerprint Branch also enable forces to work together?

A

The National Fingerprint System keeps a record of fingerprints from everyone arrested, creating a database which all forces can use to identify criminals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Apart from fingerprints, what other forensic discovery was made in 1901?

A

Different blood types were discovered - police were able to use blood samples from crime scenes to identify criminals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What other three improvements were brought into policing in the early 1900s?

A
  1. Improved microscopes used to find smaller quantities of blood at crime scenes
  2. Photography used to record details of crime scenes
  3. In 1909, police bicycles introduced.
41
Q

What two improvements were introduced to policing in the 1930s?

A
  1. Police cars with two-way radios became common

2. The 999 number introduced.

42
Q

How were the police pioneers of new technology in the 1960s?

A

They became the first large, public organisation to use computers for their payroll and pensions.

43
Q

Give an example of how technology improved policing in the early 1900s.

A

A well-publicised murder case was brought to trial when a Dr Crippen and his girlfriend were arrested on board a ship bound for Canada on 31 July 1910 because the captain was able to telegraph the authorities.

44
Q

What further technological improvement was made in 1980?

A

The Police National Computer was launched, capable of holding the records of 25 million people.

45
Q

When was the first murder conviction based on DNA samples from the victims and the accused?

A

Colin Pitchfork was the first person convicted of murder based on DNA fingerprinting evidence, and the first to be caught as a result of mass DNA screening.. He raped and murdered two girls.

46
Q

What is NAFIS?

A

The National Automatic Fingerprint Identification System - set up in 1995 to share information that can be used to identify criminals.

47
Q

What is the NDD?

A

The National DNA Database, also set up in 1995.

48
Q

What preventative measure was introduced in 1967?

A

Breathalysers - which was an effective deterrent against drink driving.

49
Q

When were speed cameras introduced?

A
  1. An effective deterrent against breaking the speed limit.
50
Q

What is CCTV?

A

Closed Circuit Television - an effective deterrent and therefore seen as preventing crime from taking place.

51
Q

How does mass video surveillance prevent crime?

A

It allows private companies to analyse large amounts of footage and thereby predict acts of terrorism and other crimes.

52
Q

How does biometric screening act as a preventative measure?

A

By using unique body characteristics like fingerprints, it restricts access to data, places and buildings - more security = less crime.

53
Q

What four ways have the police used 21st century technology to make crime solving more efficient?

A
  1. Communications - using tablets and smart phones
  2. Forensic science at the scene of crime
  3. Data management - e.g. the NDD held the details of 5.7 million people’s DNA profiles in 2015
  4. Computer software - to analyse video data and identify criminals.
54
Q

When was the Fraud Squad set up?

A

In 1946

55
Q

What is Fraud Squad known as today?

A

The Specialist, Organised and Economic Crime Command

56
Q

What specialised police units came into existence following the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act?

A

Drug-trade units. These became the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2013.

57
Q

When were the first specially-trained police dogs used?

A

In 1938, in south London, to accompany police officers as they patrolled the local beat.

58
Q

How did the use of trained dogs develop from 1938?

A

The first specialist dog section was set up within the Metropolitan Police in 1946. By the 1950s most police forces in the country had dog units.

59
Q

How have police dogs become specialised themselves?

A

They are trained to…

sniff out drugs
find explosives
track and catch criminals
search for missing persons
strengthen police presence at major events, e.g. football matches
60
Q

What is Special Branch?

A

Every police force has its own Special Branch to tackle threats to national security, such as terrorism. They work with MI5 to detect and prevent terrorists.

61
Q

What is a PCSO?

A

A Police Community Support Officer. They work with police officers to prevent crime by focusing on anti-social behaviour.

62
Q

When was Neighbourhood Watch set up?

A

1982.

63
Q

How many households are involved in Neighbourhood Watch?

A

Some estimates say 3.8 million.

64
Q

What are the aims of Neighbourhood Watch?

A
  1. Encouraging local vigilance to prevent crime
  2. Reduce fear of crime
  3. Report crime trends to the police
65
Q

How is Neighbourhood Watch different from the hue and cry?

A

It is entirely voluntary.

66
Q

By the 1830s, which crimes were still punishable with the death penalty?

A

Murder and treason.

67
Q

In the early 1950s, roughly how many people a year were being executed?

A

About 15 per year.

68
Q

What law ended the hanging of under 16s?

A

The 1908 Children’s Act

69
Q

What effect did the 1922 Infanticide Act have on the use of capital punishment (the death penalty)?

A

It meant that mothers who killed newborn babies would no longer receive the death penalty.

70
Q

In what year did the hanging of under 18s end?

A
  1. The same Act also set the age of criminal responsibility to 8 years old. This was raised to 10 years old in 1963.
71
Q

What sign was there in 1948 that the public attitude towards the death penalty was changing?

A

In April 1948, the House of Commons voted in favour of a Bill to suspend the death penalty for five years. However, this was rejected by the House of Lords

72
Q

What was set up in 1948 after the House of Lords rejected the Bill to suspend the death penalty for 5 years?

A

A Royal Commission on Capital Punishment was set up to decide whether capital punishment for murder should be changed.

73
Q

In what year was the Death Penalty Abolition Bill passed by the House of Commons?

A
  1. However, this was also rejected by the Lords.
74
Q

What year was the Homicide Act and how did it affect the use of the death penalty?

A
  1. The death sentence was limited to 5 categories of murder:
  2. 2 murders on different occasions
  3. murder in the course of committing theft
  4. killing someone by shooting or explosion
  5. killing someone while resisting arrest or during an escape
  6. killing a prison officer or policeman
75
Q

When was the death penalty abolished for most crimes?

A

1965

76
Q

Which (rare) crimes were no longer punishable by death in 1998?

A

High treason and piracy with violence.

77
Q

What was signed in 1999 that formally ended the death penalty in Britain?

A

The 6th Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights.

78
Q

Why was the hanging of Timothy Evans in 1950 controversial?

A

Because he was hanged for murdering his wife and baby but later evidence proved they had been killed by a serial killer and Evans was innocent.

79
Q

Why was the hanging of Derek Bentley in 1953 controversial?

A

Because he had learning difficulties and a low mental age. He had not fired the gun himself but was prosecuted nonetheless for the shooting of a police officer.

80
Q

Why was the hanging of Ruth Ellis in 1955 controversial?

A

Because the boyfriend she killed was violent and abusive. He had attacked her when she was pregnant and caused her to miscarry. Ellis was also the mother of a young child who was orphaned by her mother’s execution.

81
Q

How many signatures did the petition asking for leniency for Ruth Ellis get?

A

50,000 - but it was ignored by the Home Secretary.

82
Q

In 1896, what new idea changed the use of prisons?

A

Mentally ill prisoners were treated differently to other prisoners. Broadmoor Hospital opened.

83
Q

In 1902, what new idea changed the use of prisons?

A

Hard labour ended; no more treadwheels in prisons.

84
Q

In 1907, what new idea changed the use of prisons?

A

Alternatives to prison used; probation officers employed to check on offenders living outside prison.

85
Q

In 1922, what new idea changed the way prisons were run?

A

There was an increased focus on prisoner welfare; the Separate System ended and educational opportunities were introduced.

86
Q

From 1933, what change in focus meant the introduction of a new type of prison?

A

The new focus was on preparing prisoners for life after prison - rehabilitation. The first open prison was opened in Wakefield. Prisoners had a more relaxed regime and were allowed out on day release to work and prepare for reintegration into society.

87
Q

When was the first borstal set up to mark a change in the way that young people were treated by the law?

A

1902 in Kent.

88
Q

How did the 1908 Prevention of Crime Act develop the use of borstals for young offenders?

A

It created a national system of borstals.

89
Q

How were borstals different from prisons?

A

They emphasised education rather than punishment. The day was very structured and disciplined, and inmates took part in physical exercise and education and work programmes that focused on learning practical skills.

90
Q

What was the reoffending rate in the 1930s?

A

About 30% compared with about 60% today.

91
Q

What three reforms did the 1948 Criminal Justice Act include that affected the treatment of young offenders?

A
  1. A graduated system of prison, depending on the seriousness of the crime and the offender’s record
  2. Detention centres were introduced as a deterrent for young offenders - with a more relaxed regime compared to borstals
  3. Attendance centres were used for young people who had committed minor crimes - young offenders attended the centres at weekends for rehabilitation rather than being detained all week.
92
Q

Who was Alexander Patterson?

A

He was a prisons commissioner who was influential in changing how young offenders were treated. The 1948 Criminal Justice Act contained many of his ideas, making probation and rehabilitation more important than punishment.

93
Q

How did the Children and Young Persons Acts of 1963 and 1969 change the treatment of young offenders?

A

They focused on the importance of caring for and protecting young offenders and raised the age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 10 years. The 1969 law favoured care orders and supervision by probation officers and social workers instead of prison sentences.

94
Q

What is an ASBO?

A

An Anti-Social Behaviour Order - a court order that restricts what a person can do. For example, where they can go or who they can talk to. They are usually issued to people who repeatedly behave in an anti-social way.

95
Q

What is community service?

A

An alternative to prison for people convicted of minor offences. They are ordered to do supervised work to improve their local community.

96
Q

What is restorative justice?

A

A criminal meets the victim of their crime, or a relative, to talk about what they have done and understand the impact it has had on others.

97
Q

How are drug addicts or alcoholics sometimes treated differently by the law?

A

They might be placed in a drug and alcohol treatment programme to get help with their addiction if it was the reason they broke the law.

98
Q

How does electronic tagging work?

A

The court orders a person convicted of a crime to wear an electronic tag in order to monitor their movements.