AC3.2 questions.
Describe 2 environmental measures used by agencies to achieve social (4)
-CPTED= Agencies design buildings + public spaces to reduce opportunities for crime e.g. improving natural surveillance + visibility, which discourages offenders because more likely to be seen.
-Gated lanes= Lockable gates installed in alleyways behind houses to restrict access, acting as physical barrier that prevents offenders entering areas where burglary could occur.
Describe 1 behavioural tactic used by prisons to achieve social control (5)
-Prisons set clear rules prohibiting behaviours such as threatening others, damaging property or disobeying staff.
-If rules broken, sanctions imposed e.g. cautions, loss of privileges (up to 42 days), or cellular confinement (up to 35 days).
-These punishments deter further misconduct.
-Encourages inmates to comply with rules to avoid sanctions.
-Maintains order + reinforces authority within the prison.
Desccibe the contribution of environmental measures such as CCTV in achieving social control (6)
-CCTV is surveillance technology used by police, local authorities + businesses to monitor public spaces.
-Footage used to identify offenders + provide evidence in court, helping secure convictions.
-Acts as deterrent as potential offenders avoids crime if they believe they’re being recorded.
-Supports investigations by demonstrating guilt or innocence.
-Therefore strengthens formal social control through monitoring + enforcement.
-However, high installation + monitoring costs may limit effectiveness.
Describe the contribution of environmental tactics + measures that are used by agencies to achieve social control (9)
-CPTED aims to design buildings + public spaces to reduce opportunities for crime. Features include natural surveillance, territoriality + a safe image, such as visible entrances, street-level windows + removing concealed walkways. These design features reduce anonymity + allow residents to observe strangers more easily, increasing the risk of detection + discouraging offending.
-Defensible space theory argues areas with clear boundaries + a sense of ownership have lower crime rates. Measures such as gated lanes restrict access to areas behind houses, preventing offenders from easily entering spaces used by residents. Gates act as a physical barrier that increases the effort required to commit crime, while also strengthening residents’ sense of territoriality + willingness to monitor their surroundings.
-Environmental surveillance such as CCTV, speed cameras + traffic monitoring increases the likelihood offenders will be detected. Similarly, prison design such as the panopticon layout allows guards to observe prisoners from a central watchtower. Because prisoners never know when they’re being watched, they regulate their behaviour + conform to rules, which helps maintain social control.
Describe how Sidra’s strict enforcement of prison rules + dispciplinary procedures may contribute to the achievements of social control in her prison (6)
-Prison rules prohibit behaviours such as threatening others, damaging property or disobeying staff.
-By enforcing rules strictly, Sidra reinforces clear expectations of acceptable behaviour.
-Disciplinary sanctions such as loss of privileges or cellular confinement deter rule breaking.
-Punishments encourage prisoners to comply to avoid negative consequences.
-Consistent enforcement strengthens staff authority.
-This maintains order + stability within the prison.
Describe the behavioural tactics + measures used to achieve social control (9)
-ASBOS= Introduced under Crime + Policing Act 2014 to deal with serious anti-social individuals who cause harassment, harm or distress. However they weren’t effective so CBOs were introduced + they include negative requirements, such as banning offenders from certain places or people + positive requirements, such as attending drug treatment or rehabilitation programmes to improve behaviour. If the offender breaches the order it becomes a criminal offence, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, which encourages offenders to comply + control their behaviour.
-Token economies= Behaviour modification programmes used in prisons + young offender institutions to reshape inmates’ behaviour. Based on Skinner’s operant conditioning theory, where behaviour that’s rewarded is more likely to be repeated. Prisoners receive tokens for desirable behaviour, such as obeying prison rules, staying drug-free, or engaging in training programmes. Tokens can be exchanged for privileges like extra phone calls or having a TV in their cell, encouraging conformity + self-control.
Describe how gaps in state provision have impacted achieving social control.
-Limited resources restrict effectiveness of police, courts + prisons. Budget cuts after 2008 reduced police numbers + prison staff. This limits capacity to investigate + prevent crime.
-New technology creates pressure due to large volumes of digital evidence slowing investigations.
-Unreported crime limits social control because agencies can only act on reported offences. Many domestic abuse + white-collar crimes go undetected.
-Existing laws may not cover new harms, meaning agencies cannot prosecute.
-Therefore social control is incomplete.
-Overall, financial + structural gaps reduce effectiveness of formal control.
Describe how environmental design and gated lanes have been used by agencies to achieve social control.
-CPTED reduces opportunities for crime through environmental design. Natural surveillance via street-level windows + visible entrances discourages offending. Removal of concealed walkways reduces anonymity.
-Gated lanes act as physical barriers preventing access to rear of properties. Increase effort required to commit burglary. Strengthen territoriality so offenders recognise space is monitored. Reduce rewards of crime (harder to remove stolen goods).
-Based on situational crime prevention + rational choice theory (increase risk/effort). Therefore reduce opportunities for crime.
Describe how token economy and ASBO's have been used by agencies as behavioural tactics to achieve social control.
-Token economy schemes reward positive behaviour in prisons. Based on Skinner’s operant conditioning – behaviour followed by reward is repeated. Prisoners earn tokens for obeying rules + participating in activities. Tokens exchanged for privileges, encouraging conformity.
-ASBOs were civil orders restricting anti-social behaviour. Prohibited individuals from certain actions or areas. Breach became criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. Aimed to deter continued nuisance behaviour. Both aim to modify behaviour through reward + restriction.
Describe disciplinary procedures including rule making and stage/ phased contribute to achieving social control.
-Rule making establishes clear behavioural expectations in institutions. Prison rules prohibit violence, drug use, damaging property + disobedience. Breaking rules results in sanctions such as cautions or solitary confinement. Punishments deter repeat offending.
-Phased discipline increases severity of sanctions for repeated offences. First offence may receive caution; repeated offences stronger penalties. Escalating consequences encourage compliance. Reinforces authority of institutions. Maintains order + stability.