3.3 Examine limitations of agencies in social control

• Repeat Offending and Recidivism

  • offenders in prison more likely to reoffend than those on probation
  • men more likely to reoffend than women
  • prison population has doubled between 1993 and 2018
• Civil Liberties & Legal Barriers

  • basic rights guaranteed to everyone by law
  • some states give few restrictions to polices power
  • Smith and Grady v UK
• Access to Resources and Support

  • short sentences are not enough time for rehabilitation
  • inadequate resources
  • cuts in funding and staff
  • community services
• Police Finances

  • dropping cases that are time consuming (e.g., rape or arson) due to lack of funding
• CPS Finances

  • budget cut by 25% and 1/3 staff lost
  • downgrading charges which is quicker and cheaper
• Prison Finances

  • budget fallen by 16% and staff 15%
  • overcrowding causes a lack of opportunities, rising assault, suicide, and self-harm
• Probation Finances

  • staff shortages
  • lack of confidence from victims, public, offenders, and judges
• National Government Policies

  • easier for police to stop and search
  • multi-agency approach
  • full social control not achieved if do not work together
• Local Policies

  • moral panics can lead to new policies
  • if there is a rise of a certain crime in an area, policy may be imposed
• Moral Imperatives

  • overriding sense of what is right e.g., Suffragettes
  • social change and boundary maintenance