Explain and Evaluate the Role of Charities and Pressure Groups in achieving social control - AC3.1 - 3.4 Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are charities?
An organisation set up to help people in need or support of a specific cause
Raises funds and provides direct aid
Charities must follow strict legal regulations
What are pressure groups?
An organisation that seeks to influence government policies or public opinion on specific issues
Doesn’t provide direct aid but campaigns for change
What are the aims and objectives of charities and pressure groups?
Generally about promoting welfare of who they are working for
help those in need
achieve change through campaigning
How are charities and pressure groups funded?
Not government funded, non-profiting organisations that rely on donations to fund their work.
Charities will have some tax advantages from the government
What is an example of a Charity AND Pressure group?
Women in Prison (WIP)
Over half of women prisoners are victims of sexual violence or domestic abuse
WIP aims to tackle the causes of this type of offending with two campaigns:
Calling for money to be invested in specialist womens centres - they may have no where safe to go once released
Calling for courts to use prisons as a last resort - putting pressure on the CJS
What is an example of a charity only?
National Association for Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO)
Housing - Houses over 3000 tenants in their own properties as well as providing bail houses
Education - 2018 over 4500 studied through their education services
Resettlement Advice - supports people with criminal records w/employment
Outreach Projects - Keep young people from offending to begin with
How do the aims from NACRO help maintain social control?
Housing - offers offenders a place to live will prevent problems of homelessness and reoffending that accompanies it - good form of social control post-release of prison
What is one campaign example NACRO does?
End Friday Releases
Why do Friday releases have detrimental effects on prison leavers?
Social services are shut on the weekends and prisoners are given £46 to last the weekend which could only be stretched so far, this could result in reoffending with individuals who dont have a place to go.
What have NACRO asked to be in place before release occurs?
Attend mandatory probation appointments
Appointments w/local housing authority
Register w/GP’s
This is so they don’t scramble trying to find all of these things once they are released as this could cause a lot of stress for the individual.
What is the limitation of charities in achieving social control?
They are voluntary organisations so they only exist where people are concerned about a particular issue or group.
Media can play a negative role by portraying certain groups (BAME) as offenders.
If the media views people in these groups as violent and unworthy of help they may see no point in trying to help them.
What are some charities that have been shut down because of lack of funding?
The Innocence Project UK - lack of sustainable funding and resources
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) - struggled to gain public support
