The Crime Control Model

What is the focus of the CCM and it’s key features?

Focuses on the repression of crime as its main goal. Emphasises efficiency, speed and the certainty of outcomes to protect society. 

Key features:

• Presumption of guilt - assumes most suspects are guilty and seek to process them quickly

• Efficiency - encourages swift arrests, prosecutions, and convictions

• Minimal emphasis on Rights - safeguards and and procedural protections are considered secondary to the goal of reducing crime

How does Stop & Search powers achieve goals of the CCM

Enables police to be proactive by stopping and searching suspicious individuals. Prioritises public safety by deterring potential offenders and preventing crime before it occurs. Focuses on efficiency and prevention often overrides concerns about individual freedoms, aligning with the model’s goal of maintaining order and security.

How does Mandatory Minimum Sentences achieve goals of the CCM

Ensure that certain crimes (e.g. violent or drug-related crimes) are met with fixed, harsh penalties. The consistency supports deterrence by sending a clear message about consequences of offending. Reflects the incapacitation goal of the model by removing offenders from society for a predictable period which reduces their ability to commit further crimes.

How does Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) achieve goals of the CCM

Provides constant surveillance in public areas, acting as a visible deterrent to potential offenders. Assists in the rapid identification of suspects and provides evidence for investigations, it enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement. Aligns with the model’s emphasis on public safety and crime prevention, even at the cost of individual privacy.

How does Terrorism Legislation achieve goals of the CCM

Laws, such as the Terrorism Act 2000 empower law enforcement agencies to act pre-emptively against suspected threats to national security. This includes powers to detain individuals without charge for up to 14 days. These measures are designed to prioritise public safety and prevent acts of terrorism, reflecting the model’s focus on minimising procedural barriers and enabling swift intervention.

How does Expansion of Police Powers under Pace 1984 achieve goals of the CCM

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 strengthened police powers to investigate crimes effectively, including powers of arrest, search, and detention. These provisions support the model’s goal of efficiently identifying and prosecuting offenders by streamlining processes and reducing opportunities for procedural errors that could hinder justice.

How does Right Realism link to the CCM

Prioritises public safety through strict enforcement and punishment. Both focus on swift, certain and severe consequences for offending, exemplified by policies like mandatory sentencing and three-strikes laws. These measures align with the model’s focus on deterrence and incapacitation over procedural safeguards or rehabilitation.

How does Rational Choice Theory link to the CCM

Aims to deter crime by increasing perceived costs of actions. Harsh penalties and efficient policing act as the model’s tools to elevate the risks associated with offending, discouraging potential criminals. This alignment emphasises deterrence as a key mechanism in preventing crime.

Strengths for the Crime Control Model

• Emphasis on deterrence through harsh penalties and strong enforcement. By creating a fear of swift punishment and increasing the perceived likelihood of being caught, discourages criminal activity. 

• Prioritises the incapacitation of criminals from society in order to protect society; this reduces the immediate harm to the public as well as preventing repeat offenses.

• Allows for an efficient justice system as it streamlines the investigation process by reducing procedural barriers, enabling quicker resolution of cases. This minimises delays in the justice system such as preventing court backlogs and reducing the financial burden on the legal system.

• Lastly, it allows there to be a resource focused on serious crimes which allows for swift action to be taken against high-priority cases which reinstates the public’s confidence.

Weaknesses for the Crime Control Model

• A focus on efficiency and the presumption of guilt can lead to wrongful convictions, which damages the lives of innocent people. Any errors in evidence or a reliance on biased testimonies are more likely when taking procedural shortcuts.

• A risk for the abuse of power as by expanding police powers (e.g. stop and search) has the risk of discriminatory practises. This could lead to mistrust and a perception of systematic injustice.

• Advocates for the removal of criminals from society which runs the risk of overlooking efforts to address the root cause of crime, such as poverty. Furthermore, without rehabilitation programmes, offenders are more likely to reoffend upon release, reinforcing the cycle of crime.

• The sacrifice of individuals rights such as privacy, by overreaching in surveillance, risks the public’s trust in the justice system. Therefore, the increased use of resources such as surveillance, policing and detention harms the balance between authority and personal freedoms.