Overview of the UK Criminal Justice System and Law Making

Acts of Parliament

Laws passed by Parliament in the UK.

First Reading

Bill introduction and initial vote in Commons.

Second Reading

Main debate on the Bill occurs here.

Committee Stage

Representatives examine and propose changes to Bill.

Report Stage

Committee reports amendments for House vote.

Third Reading

Final vote on the Bill takes place.

Green Paper

Document for public consultation on proposals.

White Paper

Formal proposals leading to Bill drafting.

Judicial Precedent

Judges create law through case decisions.

Common Law

Law formed by judicial precedents in cases.

Statutory Interpretation

Judges interpret meanings of laws' words.

Literal Rule

Interprets words in their plain meaning.

Crime Control Model

Focuses on efficiency and quick convictions.

Due Process Model

Emphasizes fair trials and defendants' rights.

Zero Tolerance

Approach aiming for strict law enforcement.

Right Realism

Theory prioritizing victims' rights over defendants'.

Bad Character Evidence

Introduced to strengthen prosecution cases.

Double Jeopardy Rule

Prohibits retrial for acquitted serious offences.

PACE Act 1984

Provides procedural safeguards for police actions.

MAPPA

Multi-agency arrangements for managing offenders.

Internal Forms of Control

Self-control stemming from personal beliefs and norms.

Social Control

Methods to ensure conformity to societal norms.

Thompson and Venables

Case highlighting Due Process model principles.

Control Theory

Reckless's theory on socialization and self-control.

Internal Containment

Self-control developed through effective socialization.

External Containment

Parental discipline providing social control.

External Forms

Controls imposed by outside forces or sanctions.

Coercion

Using threats or force to compel compliance.

Deterrent

Fear of punishment discouraging future offenses.

Individual Deterrence

Prevents specific offenders from reoffending.

General Deterrence

Discourages potential offenders by example.

Retribution

Punishment as deserved consequence for crime.

Proportionality

Punishment severity matches the crime's seriousness.

Rehabilitation

Changing offender behavior through education and treatment.

Positive Sanctions

Rewards for good behavior, like early parole.

Protection of the Public

Incapacitating offenders to prevent further harm.

Reparation

Offender makes amends to victim or society.

Imprisonment

Most serious punishment, restricting freedom.

Community Sentencing

Non-custodial punishment with supervision and restrictions.

Fines

Monetary penalties serving as deterrents.

Mandatory Life Sentences

Required punishment for serious crimes like murder.

Electronic Tagging

Monitoring offenders' movements for public protection.

Restorative Justice

Offenders repair damage and apologize to victims.

Tariff Systems

Structured guidelines for sentencing based on crime.

Anger Management

Treatment program addressing violent behavior.

Conditional Discharge

No punishment unless reoffending occurs.

Absolute Discharge

No penalty; court process suffices as deterrence.

CJS Agencies

Organizations enforcing social norms and laws.

Police

Responsible for crime detection and prevention.

CPS

Main prosecutor in England and Wales since 1986.

Full Code Test

Evidential and public interest tests for prosecution.

Threshold Test

Used when more evidence is anticipated.

Judiciary

Interprets and applies law in courts.

Crown Court

Court where judges manage trials and sentencing.

HMPPS

Agency responsible for prison and probation services.

Prisons

Secure facilities for holding and rehabilitating offenders.

IEPs

Incentives and privileges for good inmate behavior.

Probation Service

Supervises high-risk offenders in the community.

NOMS

Government body funding probation services.

Charities

Non-profit organizations aiding victims and ex-offenders.

Pressure Groups

Campaign for change in criminal justice policies.

CBOs

Orders to address serious anti-social behavior.

Token Economies

Behavior modification using rewards for compliance.

Operant Learning Theory

Skinner's theory on behavior reinforcement.

Institutional Tactics

Behavior control through rules and consequences.

Positive Requirements

CBOs mandating treatment program attendance.

Negative Prohibitions

CBOs forbidding certain actions.

CPTED

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles.

Defensible Space

Design features that create safer environments.

Territoriality

Clear boundaries that promote ownership and safety.

Natural Surveillance

Visibility of spaces to deter criminal activity.

Safe Image

Perception of safety in a location.

Safe Location

Areas designed to minimize crime risks.

Indefensible Spaces

Areas lacking safety features, promoting crime.

Alice Coleman's Research

Study showing design impacts on crime in flats.

Lisson Green Estate

Location where crime reduced by 50% after design changes.

Secured by Design

Scheme ensuring buildings meet crime prevention standards.

Gated Lanes

Physical barriers to deter access and crime.

Cost-Benefit of Gating

£2.19 benefit for every £1 spent on gates.

Situational Crime Prevention

Strategies focusing on immediate crime prevention measures.

Rational Choice Theory

Offenders weigh costs and benefits before committing crimes.

Capable Guardian

Concept of an individual preventing crime through presence.

Recidivism

Tendency of offenders to reoffend after release.

2017 Recidivism Rate

30% overall; 50% within one year.

Bail Act 1976

Law presuming bail, limiting agency control.

Surveillance Theory

Foucault's idea of self-surveillance in society.

Panopticon Model

Prison design promoting self-surveillance among inmates.

CCTV Effectiveness

Useful for evidence gathering and crime deterrence.

Supermax Prisons

High-security facilities for segregating dangerous inmates.

Discharge Grant

Small financial aid for released prisoners (£46).

Job Prospects

Only 25% of prisoners find employment post-release.

Homelessness Rate

1 in 9 prisoners lack stable housing.

Reoffending Risk Factors

Family support and environment influence recidivism.

Budget Cuts

Reduced funding limits resources across criminal justice.

Police Budget Cuts

19% reduction (2010-2018) led to 20,000 officer loss.

Dropped Cases

Time-consuming cases often dismissed due to resource limits.

Crime Screening

Met Police screened out 1/3 of reported crimes.

Prison Budget Cuts

16% reduction resulted in 15% staff decrease.

CPS Budget Cuts

25% budget cut led to one-third staff loss.

Media Influence

Shifts in focus can deprioritize certain crimes.