Describe the Contribution of Agencies to Achieving Social Control

Describe the Contribution of Agencies to Achieving Social Control

The Police

• The police enforce laws, ensuring it is followed by all members of society.
• They help maintain law and order, reducing crime and the fear of crime.
• Preventive patrol, a strategy used by the police, is aimed at preventing crime even before they happen.

The Criminal Justice System (Courts and Prison)

• Courts impart justice by listening to both sides of the argument and making fair judgments.
• Prisons provide punishment for those who have violated laws, acting as a deterrent for both the inmate and rest of society.
• They also provide opportunities for rehabilitation, offering programmes aimed at changing offender behaviour, reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

Social Services

• Social services aim to tackle social issues such as abuse, addiction, or families in crisis which may indirectly contribute to crime.
• They work with individuals and families, providing support, advice, and intervention when required.

Schools/Education

• Schools contribute to social control by teaching societal norms and values.
• Education provides opportunities for social mobility, potentially steering young individuals away from crime.

Governmental Bodies

• Government entities like the Home Office may set crime policies that influence how other agencies achieve social control.
• They oversee operations, ensuring that strategies and tactics are in-line with the overall crime-prevention goal.

Remember, the proactive engagement of these social control agencies is what determines their effectiveness in creating a secure and low-crime society. Their shared aim is to create a balance of power, authority, and sanctions, which underpins the concept of social control.