3.3 limits of control

what is recidivism

when offenders re-offend after their punishment

what does recidivism affect

• high prison population

• lack of rehabilitation/ ineffective rehabilitation

• increased short term sentencing

why do criminals re-offend

social learning theory

• offenders model behaviour from others in the prison system

• prisoners can become better criminals, learning the skills from others (criminal networks)

labelling theory

• offenders obtain a ‘master status’

• self fulfilling prophecy offenders live up to the label

what are civil liberties

basic rights and freedoms granted to citizens of a country through the law

eg. freedom of speech

why are civil liberties important

civil liberties protect social groups and uphold the rights of individuals from discrimination

implications of civil liberties on social control

the rights can sometimes be seen as a restriction on social control agencies in achieving social control

eg. the police can’t search property without a warrant

how might offenders get support before punishment

legal aid and a solicitor at the police station

how might offenders get support during punishment

counselling, therapy, education

how might offenders get support after punishment

probation, rehabilitation, employability

how is the police financed and how have finance cuts affected them

• financed by government grants and local council tax

• will suffer with a loss of staff due to cuts

how is the cps financed and how have finance cuts affected them

• financed by agreed budgets by HM Treasury

• will not carry out tests properly as a result of cuts

how is the prison service financed and how have finance cuts affected them

• funded through the ministry of justice via government spending, eg contracts and grants

• risks of riots and overcrowding and shorter sentences due to cuts

how is the probation service financed and how have finance cuts affected them

• through government general tax

• too much work for staff because of cuts