Surveillance theories

• What are surveillance theories?

  Monitor people to control crime

  look at methods of which surveillance is carried out

  • CCTV
  • Tagging
  • Databases - profile of individuals + groups
• What does Foucault argue?

  argues in modern society we are increasingly controlled through self-surveillance through disciplinary power

  Argues most institutions use panopticon and disciplinary power and self surveillance have infiltrated in every part of society
• What is Panopticon?

  Prisoners cells are visible to guards via watchtowers, but prisoners can’t see them so they don’t know they are being watched, so they continue to behave normally, however self surveillance occurs as they know they are being watched but don’t know when as they can’t see guards in the tower so they discipline themselves and change their behaviour
• What is actuarial justice and profiling?

  actuarial - comes from insurance industry - someone who calculates risk of certain events happening

  its a new form of surveillance as it aims to predict and prevent further offending

  • uses statistical information to reduce crime by compiling profiles of likely offenders
• What is synoptic surveillance?

  Surveillance from below - everyone watching everyone

  Dash cams or helmet cameras

  • warns road users they are under surveillance and result in them exercising self-discipline
• What are the limitations of surveillance theories?

  Foucault exaggerates the extent of control

  surveillance may not change people’s behaviour

  • CCTV may fail to prevent crime as offenders take no notice of it
• What are the strengths of the surveillance theories?

  Foucault work has stimulated research into surveillance + disciplinary power - idea of electronic panopticon using modern technologies to monitor us

  Researchers have identified other forms of surveillance

  • actuarial justice and profiling