Criminology Unit 4 exam questions
Identify two of the personnel involved in the criminal justice system that a defendant may
encounter before conviction. (2 marks) LO1 - correct answer-Police, Prison officers.
According to the Prison Reform Trust (2015) there has been a 91% rise in the prison
population in England and Wales over the past twenty years. Between 1993 and 2014 the
prison population increased by more than 40,000. It is estimated that the cost of the
increased prison numbers has added £1.22bn to government expenditure. Reoffending rates
remain high, with almost half of adults reconvicted within one year of release. The number of
staff employed by the prison service has fallen by 29% in the last four years. However, in
March 2015, 70 of the 117 prisons in England and Wales were overcrowded.
With reference to the text, outline the limitations faced by the prison service in England and
Wales. (4 marks) LO3 - correct answer-Financial restraints, overcrowding, shortage of staff,
re-offending rates.
Explain why imprisonment acts as an external form of social control. (4 marks) LO2 - correct
answer-Threat of imprisonment- coerce, fear of punishment- deter, loss of liberty,
consequence of being in prison later in life- loss of employment.
Describe the relationship of the prison service with other agencies in the criminal justice
system. (7 marks) LO1 - correct answer-Prison and court: transportation, held in court cells.
Prison and police: held locally, arrest when recalled whilst on probation.
Prison and lawyers: visits.
Prison and judiciary: judge's role.
Prison and probation: overseeing whilst on parole.
Evaluate the effectiveness of social control inside prisons. (8 marks) LO3 - correct
answer-Positive effects:
Prevention of crime, protection of society, educating offenders, rehabilitation of offenders.
Negative effects:
Criminal offences committed, serious attacks, attacks on prison officers, use of prohibited
drugs.
Outline the process used by the government for making laws such as The Theft Act 1968. (3
marks) LO1 - correct answer-Green, white, both houses, first reading, second reading,
committee stage for voting etc, royal assent.
Describe the role of the judge in a Crown Court trial. (4 marks) LO1 - correct answer-Ensure
jury understands evidence, judge advises jury how to apply the law, judge will advise the jury
on the procedure, judge will ensure a fair trial.
Assess how two forms of punishment meet their aims. (5 marks, 5 marks) LO2 - correct
answer-Fines and retribution:
, Punishment for minor offences, limits how much money offenders have to spend, 15% of
those found guilty for an indictable offence received a fine, can also be required to make a
compensation payment, if they fail to pay they will be sent to prison.
Community sentences and rehab:
Tailored to meet offender's needs, addresses particular offences such as curfew to prevent
night-time crime, may include treatment for drug and anger problems, for those with 50+
previous convictions, reoffending rates are 1/3 higher for those given a short prison sentence
rather than a community sentence.
Ian Jones was arrested and charged with 10 offences of theft under The Theft Act 1968. He
was found guilty of all charges by a jury at Crown Court. The probation service produced a
report explaining that Ian was brought up in a family with criminal tendencies. The report
stated that Ian committed the offences to provide a higher standard of living for his family. At
the court hearing the judge imposed a period of imprisonment of 12 months.
Analyse the aims of the prison sentence imposed by the judge in Ian's case. (8 marks) LO2 -
correct answer-Deterrence:
Send out a message that prison is a likely sentence, individual deterrence for Ian who must
serve the sentence.
Retribution:
Doesn't seek to alter future behaviour- an eye for an eye, Ian's offending has affected the
public so he must go to prison.
Protection of the public:
Punishments must serve a useful purpose for society, public aren't affected by Ian whilst he
is in prison.
Rehabilitation:
Alter offender's behaviour, prison would provide protection and rehabilitate him into society.
Describe two models of criminal justice. (2 marks, 2 marks) LO1 - correct answer-Due
Process Model:
Fundamental fairness under the law, concentrate on defendant's rights, police powers should
be limited.
Crime Control Model:
Repression of crime, concentrate on victim's rights, police powers should be expanded.
Describe two environmental measures used by agencies to achieve social control. (2 marks,
2 marks) LO3 - correct answer-CPTED:
arrangements of buildings can affect the rate of crime, promote positive use of space, e.g.
green areas.
Gated lanes:
restricting access to lanes where criminal activity takes place, in places such as London and
Cardiff.
Using examples, explain what is meant by internal forms of social control. (4 marks) LO2 -
correct answer-Social control definition, examples of internal forms and definition.
Rational ideology- individual's conscience, stealing a pen from school.
Tradition- religion or culture, ban alcohol.
Internalisation of social rules and morality- knowing what is right or wrong, queue jumping.
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