CRIM - Mark Scheme Flashcards

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the probation service in achieving social control (AC3.4)?


  • Probation Officers are academically qualified and highly experienced in managing offenders including those of high risk, those undertaking community orders or released from prison
  • Community orders can be much more effective than other punishments such as custody
  • The probation service can assist offenders in accessing treatment for drugs and alcohol addiction as well as provide offenders with accommodation as they try to settle back into community
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the probation service in achieving social control (AC3.4)?

  • There has been much criticism over the past few years of the National Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation companies (CRCs)
  • There are criticisms that the work carried out by the 21 CRCs are having a negligible impact on reducing offender rates - in June 2020 the government announced termination of all CRC contracts
• Examine how finance can be a limitation for agencies in achieving social control (9 marks)? AC3.3

  • All agencies in the criminal justice system face financial pressures with a reduced budget
  • Police have a reduced budget, with the central grant decreasing 25% between 2014/15, limiting the number of police officers able to investigate and detect crimes
• Examine how finance can be a limitation for agencies in achieving social control (9 marks)?AC3.3

  Prison services suffer from budget cuts, with the NOMS budget decreasing to a quarter, equating to £900 million, significantly impacting the prison population and increasing self-harm and attacks on staff, with inmates with mental health problems in extra danger without a boost of resources
• Examine how finance can be a limitation for agencies in achieving social control (9 marks)?AC3.3


  The CPS faces financial problems and staff cuts, leading to a decline in its performance with preparation and progression of cases, potentially leading to miscarriages of justice and decreasing effectiveness of social control
• Examine how finance can be a limitation for agencies in achieving social control (9 marks)?AC3.3


  The effectiveness of groups such as the Prison Reform Trust is prevented by the lack of secure funding due to reliance on voluntary contributions, as they are unable to function if they do not receive public donation
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the probation service in achieving social control AC3.4?

  • Part Privatisation of the probation service was criticised in a joint report in June 2017 by the Chief Inspectors of Probation and Prisons
  • The June 2017 report contained many criticisms that have an impact on the effectiveness of the probation service. These criticisms included too many prisoners being released with nowhere to sleep that night and prisoner's risk to the public has been inadequately assessed before their release
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the probation service in achieving social control AC3.4?

  • (Examples) of lack of effectiveness can be seen through David Braddon who was on probation with a CRC when he murdered by beating to death 18 year old Conner Marshall in 2015
• Identify three features of the due process model of criminal justice (3 marks) AC1.3?


  • It emphasises the presumption of innocence until proven guilty
  • It allows for legal rights of all
  • It links to the theory of left realism
• Identify three features of the crime control model of criminal justice (3 marks) AC1.3?


  • It aims to maximise police powers
  • It links to the theory of Right Realism
  • It adopts a conveyor belt approach to crime control where speed is of the essence
• AC2.1 - Describe what is meant by internal social control?


  • Social control refers to techniques and strategies for preventing criminal behaviour in society
  • It can be seen as one's conscience, customs and values
  • Often we conform to rules because our sense of self respect demands
• AC2.1 - Describe what is meant by internal social control?


  • Internal social control allows for internalisation of social rules and morals

  Example - religious fasts such as during Ramadan and Lent
• AC3.3 - Examine the weakness of the CPS in achieving social control

  (6 marks)?

  Talk about the CPS being over centralised and a bureaucratic organisation

  Refer to official reports such as Glidewell and Narey which reviewed the effectiveness of the CPS

  The CPS have been found wanting in some places and and it has been argues they have a number of prosecuting errors - Damilola Taylor

  CPS have been liable to pay damages - case of radio presenter Paul Gambaccini who was paid damages for prosecution by the CPS regarding unfounded sexual abuse charges
• Explain how the police may be perceived as an external form of social control (6 marks)?AC2.1

  External social control may be defined as influences that persuade a person to conform rules so they don't commit crime

  Many fear the consequences and punishment of being arrested by the police - may result in loss of jobs and relationships
• Explain how the police may be perceived as an external form of social control (6 marks)?AC2.1


  If police were to proceed with the courts it could act as a general deterrent to society

  The shame or embarrassment of being arrested and questioned by the police may act as a method of external social control

  The police could be seen as using their power as coercion to achieve their desired results

  Control Theory - Walter C Reckless developed a control theory known as containment and that individuals can resist committing crimes due to inner and outer containment
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the police service in achieving social control ?AC3.4

  The police work in the community to prevent crime and keep the public safe

  They issue notices ordering people to cease unacceptable and refer to court if necessary

  There are specialist units within the force including those trained to deal with terrorism

  They are often first to appear at crime scene

  Police can only investigate crimes that are reported to them - reference to dark figure of crime

  Case - police involvement in the Hillsborough Disaster
• AC3.1 - Explain the role of charities in social control

  (4 marks)?

  Prison Reform Trust

  This charity works to create a just, humane and effective penal system

  Their objectives are to reduce unnecessary imprisonment and promote community solutions to crime

  They aim to improve treatment for offenders and their families and promote equality rights

  They do not receive funding from the government and are dependant on voluntary funds

  They carry out research on prison life and run campaigns to improve penal system
• AC2.1 - Discuss reasons why individuals abide by the law?

  Internal forms of social control such as conscience, upbringing and family traditions may make individuals abide by law

  Coercion is the use of force to achieve a desired end - example the police have rights of arrest and detention mainly under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
• AC2.1 - Discuss reasons why individuals abide by the law?

  Fear of Punishm
• Examine the limitations of achieving social control in prisons?


  Statistics on the following:

  • Staff Cuts
  • Overcrowding
  • Ineffective Rehabilitation
  • Drug Issues
  • Security and Safety
  • Disorder
• Limitations of Prisons?


  Staff Cuts - As a result of declining funding, staff numbers have decreased

  1/3 of prison officers only have 2 years of experience - limits their ability to manage inmates
• Limitations of Prisons?


  Overcrowding - rising prison population and longer sentences has created overcrowded prisons

  • In 2018 58% of prisons were struggling with overcrowding
• Limitations of Prisons?


  Ineffective Rehabilitation

  • People serving short sentences are not able to participate properly in rehabilitation
  • Prison population and staff shortages also make it hard for these to take place
• Limitations of Prisons?


  Drug Issues - Between 2013 and 2016 there were 64 inmate deaths caused by drugs

  • The Chief Inspector for prisons claimed that drug testing was ineffective
• Limitations of Prisons?


  Security and Safety - there are also increasing number of assaults, self harm and suicide

  • By 2018 there were 8,400 assaults on staff and 80,000 incidents of self harm
• Limitations of Prison?


  Disorder - staff lose control in prison when riots break out

  • for example due to staff shortages the riot in HMP Birmingham in 2016 were noted as the worst in UK prison