3.3 limits of control

examine th limitations of agencies in achieving social control

what is recidivism

when offenders re-offend after their punishment

it affects:

• high prison population

• lack of rehabilitation/ ineffective rehabilitation

• increased short term sentencing

why do criminals re-offend and what are the implications of this on social control (social learning theory)

• offenders model behaviour from others in the prison system

• prisoners can become better criminals, learning their skills from others- criminal networks

why do criminals re-offend and what are the implications of this on social control (labelling theory)

• offenders obtain a ‘master status’

• self fulfilling prophecy- offenders live up to the label

why do criminals re-offend and what are the implications of this on social control (give a statuistic)

46% of adults are re convicted within one year of release, for those serving less than 12 months this increases to 60%

what are civil liberties

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

eg. freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly

why are civil liberties important

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

implications of civil liberties on 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