Exam questions

Question 1

Name one agency other than the police involved in achieving social control (1 mark).

Answer 1

HM Revenue and Customs.

Question 2

What year did the Psychoactive Substances Act outlaw the possession of NPS in prisons? (1 mark).

Answer 2

2016

Question 3

Outline one criticism of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
(3 marks)?

Answer 3

The CPS has been criticised for failing to disclose evidence in criminal trials. For example, in the 2018 case of Liam Allan, key evidence was only disclosed after the trial began, causing the case to collapse and affecting around 30 other cases.

Question 4

Outline one way budget cuts have affected the police (3 marks)?

Answer 4

Budget cuts since 2010 have led to a drop in police staff and resources, which has resulted in more cases being dropped and fewer crimes being solved, with clear-up rates falling from 15% to 7% between 2015 and 2020.

Question 5

Explain one way charities help achieve social control (4 marks)?

Answer 5

Charities such as Women in Prison (WIP) help achieve social control by addressing the root causes of women’s offending, such as poverty, homelessness, and substance misuse. They offer support through helplines, referrals, and programmes like CARE, which are designed to reduce reoffending by tackling underlying issues.

Question 6

Explain one way media portrayal can impact the public’s view of the judiciary (4 marks)?

Answer 6

The media often portrays judges as old, upper-class white men who are out of touch with modern society. This can lead the public to believe that judges are biased or too lenient, which may reduce trust in the legal system and its ability to maintain social control.

Question 7

Explain two ways in which prisons may fail to achieve social control (6marks)?

Answer 7

One way prisons may fail is due to overcrowding. In 2018, 58% of prisons were overcrowded, meaning there were more inmates than the facilities were designed to hold. This puts strain on staff, reduces access to rehabilitation programmes, and increases tensions among prisoners, all of which contribute to a loss of control and higher reoffending rates.

Another way is through widespread drug use. The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), such as Spice, has surged in recent years. Between 2013 and 2018, 117 prison deaths were linked to NPS. These drugs cause unpredictable behaviour and violence, undermining safety and making it harder for staff to manage prisoners effectively.

Question 8

Explain two ways probation services have been criticised in achieving social control.

Answer 8

Firstly, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs), which were responsible for low-risk offenders, have been criticised for relying on telephone check-ins rather than face-to-face meetings. This reduced the ability of probation officers to properly assess risk and support rehabilitation. Many CRCs also failed to help offenders with key needs like housing, which made reintegration harder and increased the likelihood of reoffending.

Secondly, the National Probation Service has faced high caseloads and severe staff shortages. As a result, some offenders do not receive the supervision or specialist intervention programmes they need. This limits the service’s ability to reduce future offending and undermines public safety, weakening overall social control.

Question 9

Evaluate the effectiveness of prisons in achieving social control.

Answer 9

Prisons can be effective at achieving social control in several ways. Firstly, they incapacitate offenders by removing them from society, which protects the public from harm. This is particularly important for violent or repeat offenders. Prisons also act as a deterrent; the threat of a prison sentence may discourage individuals from committing crimes, especially when the sentences are long or widely reported.

However, the effectiveness of prisons is undermined by several issues. A key problem is overcrowding. In 2018, 58% of prisons in England and Wales were overcrowded, meaning resources are stretched, and living conditions deteriorate. This environment increases the likelihood of violence and mental health issues and reduces access to meaningful rehabilitation.

Reoffending rates also suggest limited effectiveness. Over 60% of offenders sentenced to less than 12 months reoffend within a year of release. This indicates that prison is failing to reform these individuals and may even be reinforcing criminal behaviour.

Drug use is another major concern. The rise of new psychoactive substances (NPS), such as Spice, has contributed to serious health incidents and deaths – 117 between 2013 and 2018. This creates an unsafe environment and makes it harder for staff to maintain control.

While some prisons do offer education and rehabilitation programmes, these are not always accessible due to staffing shortages or lack of funding. Therefore, although prisons can offer some level of social control, the systemic issues they face often limit their long-term effectiveness.

Question 10

Evaluate the effectiveness of the police in achieving social control. (9 marks)

Answer 10

Probation services supervise offenders in the community and aim to prevent reoffending through rehabilitation and monitoring. They offer an alternative to prison and help integrate individuals back into society through support with housing, work, or addiction services.

When done well, probation can reduce the prison population and address the root causes of crime. For example, specialist programmes for domestic violence or substance abuse can reduce reoffending.

However, probation services have faced major criticism. Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) were introduced as part of privatisation but often relied on telephone contact rather than personal meetings. They also failed to meet basic needs like housing. The National Probation Service struggles with staff shortages and high caseloads, meaning offenders are not properly supervised. These problems limit the service’s ability to reduce crime and maintain social control effectively.

Question 11

What is environmental design? (1 mark)

Answer 11

Environmental design is the modification or creation of physical spaces to reduce crime and improve safety.

Question 12

What does an ASBO stand for? (1 mark)

Answer 12

Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Question 13

What is the aim of target hardening? (1 mark)

Answer 13

The aim of target hardening is to make criminal activities more difficult by increasing security measures such as locks or CCTV.

Question 14

How does community policing contribute to social control? (2 marks)

Answer 14

Community policing builds relationships between the police and local communities, fostering cooperation and trust. This approach encourages residents to report crimes and work with police to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Question 15

Explain the role of restorative justice in social control. (2 marks)

Answer 15

Restorative justice involves bringing offenders and victims together to discuss the harm caused. This process helps offenders take responsibility for their actions and encourages rehabilitation through apology and compensation.

Question 16

How does the use of CCTV contribute to social control? (2 marks)

Answer 16

CCTV acts as a deterrent for potential offenders by increasing the likelihood of being caught. It also helps law enforcement to monitor public areas and identify criminal activities

Question 17

Explain how community sentences contribute to social control. (3 marks)

Answer 17

Community sentences allow offenders to serve their punishment within the community, encouraging rehabilitation through programs like drug rehabilitation or anger management.
They provide an opportunity to address the root causes of crime, like substance abuse or mental health issues, reducing the risk of reoffending.

Question 18

Describe how surveillance contributes to social control. (3 marks)

Answer 18

Surveillance, through methods like CCTV or increased patrols, reduces crime opportunities by making it more likely that offenders will be caught.
It also creates a sense of safety and deterrence in communities, as individuals are less likely to engage in criminal activities if they know they are being monitored.

Question 19

How do ASBOs contribute to social control? (3 marks)

Answer 19

ASBOs restrict the behaviour of individuals involved in anti-social behaviour, such as banning them from certain areas or activities.
By imposing specific restrictions, ASBOs prevent further disruptive actions and aim to rehabilitate offenders by changing their behaviour.

Question 20

Discuss the role of environmental design in social control. (4 marks)

Answer 20

Environmental design aims to reduce crime by altering the physical environment to deter criminal behaviour.
Examples include improved street lighting, the installation of CCTV cameras, and better visibility in public spaces.
These changes increase the risk of being caught, which can prevent crimes such as theft and vandalism.

Question 21

Explain how the police contribute to social control through law enforcement. (4 marks)

Answer 21

The police enforce laws by arresting offenders and ensuring that laws are upheld in society.
This direct enforcement helps maintain order and prevent crime.
For example, the police may use patrols to deter criminals or investigate serious crimes, ensuring the safety and security of the community.

Question 22

Evaluate the effectiveness of target hardening in achieving social control. (4 marks)

Answer 22

Target hardening, such as installing locks, gates, and alarms, reduces opportunities for crime by making targets harder to access.
However, while effective in some areas (like residential burglaries), it may push criminals to target less secured areas.
Critics argue it may only displace crime rather than prevent it altogether, limiting its long-term effectiveness.

Question 23

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of community policing in achieving social control. (6 marks)

Answer 23

Strengths: Community policing builds trust between the police and the public, improving cooperation and crime reporting. It is proactive, focusing on prevention rather than just responding to crime.
Weaknesses: Community policing requires significant resources and may not be effective in areas where community members are unwilling to engage with law enforcement.
Additionally, it can be challenging to change entrenched attitudes towards the police in certain communities, limiting its effectiveness.

Question 23

Evaluate the role of restorative justice in achieving social control. (6 marks)

Answer 23

Strengths: Restorative justice helps offenders understand the harm caused to victims and provides a pathway for rehabilitation through accountability.
It also promotes victim healing by giving them a voice in the process.
Weaknesses: It may not be suitable for all offenders, particularly those who do not show remorse or are unwilling to engage in the process.
Also, critics argue that restorative justice might undermine the deterrent effect of punishment by focusing too much on rehabilitation.

Question 24

Examine the limitations of ASBOs and CBOs in achieving social control. (6 marks)

Answer 24

Limitations: ASBOs and CBOs may be ineffective in preventing crime long-term, as they often target behaviour rather than addressing the causes of crime, such as mental health or substance abuse. Furthermore, they can stigmatize individuals, which may increase the likelihood of reoffending. The broad restrictions placed on individuals under these orders may be disproportionate to the crime, leading to public dissatisfaction and ineffective enforcement. Critics argue that these orders only label offenders rather than providing meaningful rehabilitation.

Question 25

What does recidivism mean? (1 mark)

Answer 25

Recidivism refers to the tendency of previously convicted criminals to reoffend after being released from custody.

Question 26

Which agency is responsible for carrying out prison sentences? (1 mark)

Answer 26

The Prison Service is responsible for carrying out prison sentences.

Question 27

What is a limitation of community sentences? (1 mark)

Answer 27

A limitation of community sentences is that they may not provide enough supervision or support, which can lead to reoffending.

Question 28

How does underfunding affect the effectiveness of prisons in social control? (2 marks)

Answer 28

Underfunding leads to overcrowded prisons and understaffed facilities, making rehabilitation programs less available and increasing the likelihood of violence and reoffending.

Question 29

Explain how probation services contribute to social control. (2 marks)

Answer 29

Probation services supervise offenders released from prison, ensuring they adhere to the conditions of their release. This reduces the risk of reoffending by providing structured support and monitoring.

Question 30

What is a consequence of the high recidivism rate on social control? (2 marks)

Answer 30

High recidivism rates indicate that the current criminal justice system may not be effective in rehabilitating offenders, leading to an ongoing cycle of crime and punishment, which undermines social control.

Question 31

Describe the impact of budget cuts on the police's role in achieving social control. (3 marks)

Answer 31

Budget cuts have reduced police funding, leading to fewer officers and fewer resources for investigation and crime prevention. This affects their ability to maintain public safety and respond to emerging crime trends effectively.

Question 32

How does overcrowding in prisons affect the goal of social control? (3 marks)

Answer 32

Overcrowded prisons lead to poor conditions, which can hinder rehabilitation efforts. Lack of access to education or therapy may increase the likelihood of inmates reoffending once released. This undermines the goal of reducing crime in the long term.

Question 33

How does a lack of community resources affect social control? (3 marks)

Answer 33

A lack of community resources, such as youth clubs or mental health services, can contribute to crime by failing to address underlying social issues. Without support, individuals may turn to crime out of frustration or necessity, undermining efforts to maintain social control.

Question 34

Evaluate the limitations of probation services in achieving social control. (4 marks)

Answer 34

Probation services play a crucial role in supervising offenders in the community. However, probation services may be underfunded and overstretched, meaning offenders may not receive the level of supervision they need. In addition, probation officers often lack sufficient resources to offer rehabilitation programs or support services, making it difficult to reduce reoffending.

Question 35

Discuss the challenges faced by prisons in achieving effective social control. (4 marks)

Answer 35

Prisons are often overcrowded, which leads to poor living conditions and an inability to offer rehabilitation programs. This creates an environment where violence and reoffending are more likely. The lack of effective rehabilitation services means that offenders are not rehabilitated before release, and recidivism remains high, hindering the achievement of social control.

Question 36

How does inadequate funding of the criminal justice system impact social control? (4 marks)

Answer 36

Inadequate funding of the criminal justice system limits the resources available to law enforcement, the courts, and correctional facilities. This can lead to underpaid staff, insufficient programs for rehabilitation, and a lack of resources for crime prevention. Consequently, the system becomes less effective at controlling crime and rehabilitating offenders.

Question 37

Examine the limitations of agencies in achieving social control due to lack of resources. (6 marks)

Answer 37

Social control agencies, such as the police, probation services, and social services, face significant limitations in achieving effective social control due to a lack of resources. One key issue is underfunding, which affects the capacity of these agencies to provide adequate services. For example, probation services often have high caseloads, meaning that officers are unable to offer individualized support or supervise offenders effectively. In turn, this increases the likelihood of reoffending. Additionally, staff shortages within the criminal justice system lead to reduced supervision and fewer rehabilitative programs. The police, for example, may be unable to focus on community engagement and prevention strategies due to the need to address more immediate criminal incidents, thus limiting their ability to achieve long-term social control. Furthermore, limited access to rehabilitation services such as addiction treatment, mental health services, or job training programs means that offenders are often released back into society without the support they need to reintegrate successfully. This can contribute to high recidivism rates and perpetuate cycles of criminal behavior.

Question 38

Assess the effectiveness of prisons and probation services in reducing reoffending. (6 marks)

Answer 38

Prisons, in theory, aim to punish and rehabilitate offenders. However, the effectiveness of prisons in reducing reoffending is limited due to overcrowding and underfunding. Many prisons struggle to provide meaningful rehabilitation programs, such as education or vocational training, because of budget constraints. As a result, inmates are often released without the skills or support necessary to reintegrate successfully into society, leading to high recidivism rates. A report by the Ministry of Justice found that nearly half of those released from prison are reconvicted within a year. On the other hand, probation services aim to monitor offenders in the community and provide support to reduce reoffending. While probation can be effective in keeping offenders out of prison and providing rehabilitation services, the system faces challenges such as overworked probation officers and insufficient support services. With high caseloads, probation officers are often unable to provide the necessary supervision and help, which can result in offenders reoffending. One strength of probation, however, is that it can offer community-based rehabilitation, which may be more effective than prison in terms of reintegration. Programs that provide education, employment support, and mental health services have shown positive results in reducing reoffending. However, the lack of resources in probation services, similar to prisons, limits their impact.

Question 39

Discuss the impact of high recidivism rates on the effectiveness of social control. (6 marks)

Answer 39

High recidivism rates indicate that current social control measures, such as prisons and probation, are not achieving their goal of rehabilitating offenders. Many offenders reoffend shortly after release, often due to a lack of adequate post-release support and rehabilitation programs. According to government reports, around 46% of offenders reoffend within one year of release, often due to gaps in services like addiction treatment or vocational training. Additionally, probation services face underfunding and staff shortages, which result in limited supervision and inadequate access to rehabilitative programs. Without proper support systems in place, individuals are often released back into the same circumstances that led to their criminal behaviour, making recidivism more likely. This cycle undermines the effectiveness of social control measures, as offenders continue to reoffend, which strains public resources and public safety. In order to improve rehabilitation outcomes, there needs to be greater investment in post-release support, better supervision on probation, and expansion of rehabilitative services such as mental health programs, vocational training, and addiction treatment. By focusing more on rehabilitation rather than punishment, it’s possible to reduce recidivism rates and achieve long-term crime reduction.