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Criminology
5 Dec 2025
450
3 pages
Louise @louise_studies
Ever wondered how society tries to prevent crime and control behaviour? From designing buildings to deter criminals to... Show more
Think about it - would you be more likely to commit a crime in a well-lit car park with CCTV or down a dark alley? Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is all about using smart planning to make crime harder and riskier for potential offenders.
The theory works through several key principles. Defensible spaces have clear boundaries showing who owns what, whilst natural surveillance means designing areas so people can easily see what's going on around them. Territoriality encourages residents to take ownership of their local area, making them more likely to challenge suspicious behaviour.
Target hardening involves adding physical barriers like gates, better lighting, and security cameras. Gated lanes are a perfect example - they restrict access to back alleys where burglars might operate. However, they can also block emergency services and don't work if the criminals already live inside the gated area.
Remember CPTED focuses on 'designing out' crime rather than catching criminals after the fact - prevention is better than cure!
The approach isn't foolproof though. It mainly protects against outsiders and physical crimes, so it's useless against cybercrime. Plus, some areas get a bad reputation regardless of design improvements, which can actually attract more criminal activity.
Prison isn't just about punishment - it's about changing behaviour. Token economies use operant conditioning principles where inmates earn rewards (tokens) for good behaviour like following rules, staying drug-free, and engaging in rehabilitation programmes.
The system works brilliantly inside prison walls, but here's the catch - most inmates go back to their old ways once released. They might reoffend more slowly than before, but the positive behaviour often stops when the token system disappears. Critics argue it only works because of the extra attention prisoners receive, not the actual rewards.
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were introduced to tackle problems like vandalism and public drunkenness. Between 2000 and 2013, 24,000 ASBOs were issued with punishments up to 5 years in prison for breaches. Sounds effective, right? Wrong - 58% of orders were breached.
Key insight ASBOs often backfired because they became a 'badge of honour' amongst young offenders, reinforcing criminal identity rather than preventing it.
The newer Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) target serious cases causing real harm to others. They can ban people from certain places or require positive actions like joining drug treatment programmes. The punishments are severe - 5 years for adults, 2 years detention for under-18s.
Every institution you're part of - school, family, workplace - has rules and consequences. Criminal justice institutions like courts, prisons, and probation services work on the same principle but with much higher stakes. They use phased discipline where first-time offenders get warnings whilst repeat offenders face harsher sanctions.
Courts sentence offenders, prisons enforce strict rules (both national prison rules and local ones set by governors), and the probation service supervises offenders in the community. It sounds like a watertight system, but there are massive gaps in state control over criminality.
Budget cuts have seriously weakened the system's effectiveness. Police budgets dropped by 19% (losing 20,000 officers), the Crown Prosecution Service lost a quarter of its budget and a third of its staff, whilst prison budgets fell 16%. That's a lot less crime-fighting power.
New technology creates both opportunities and problems. DNA profiling is expensive, and police struggle with the huge amounts of digital evidence from phones and computers. Social media platforms aren't held responsible for content like traditional publishers would be.
Reality check Only 40% of crimes get reported to police - they can't investigate what they don't know about!
Unreported crime is a huge issue, especially for rape (1 in 4 cases reported) and white-collar crime where victims don't even realise they've been targeted. New crimes emerge faster than laws can be written, leaving legal loopholes that criminals exploit.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
4
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the complexities of social control and its limitations within the criminal justice system. This study note covers key concepts such as due process, rights of the accused, and various criminological theories. Ideal for students preparing for exams, it links to previous content and highlights essential points for achieving top marks.
CriminologyExplore a comprehensive summary of key concepts in crime and punishment, including the criminal justice system, prison dynamics, crime prevention strategies, and the roles of various agencies. This resource covers essential theories, the parliamentary law-making process, and the limitations of social control, tailored for WJEC Level 3 students. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding the complexities of crime and justice.
CriminologyQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Louise
@louise_studies
Ever wondered how society tries to prevent crime and control behaviour? From designing buildings to deter criminals to using psychological techniques in prisons, there are loads of different approaches that authorities use to keep us safe and maintain order.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Think about it - would you be more likely to commit a crime in a well-lit car park with CCTV or down a dark alley? Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is all about using smart planning to make crime harder and riskier for potential offenders.
The theory works through several key principles. Defensible spaces have clear boundaries showing who owns what, whilst natural surveillance means designing areas so people can easily see what's going on around them. Territoriality encourages residents to take ownership of their local area, making them more likely to challenge suspicious behaviour.
Target hardening involves adding physical barriers like gates, better lighting, and security cameras. Gated lanes are a perfect example - they restrict access to back alleys where burglars might operate. However, they can also block emergency services and don't work if the criminals already live inside the gated area.
Remember: CPTED focuses on 'designing out' crime rather than catching criminals after the fact - prevention is better than cure!
The approach isn't foolproof though. It mainly protects against outsiders and physical crimes, so it's useless against cybercrime. Plus, some areas get a bad reputation regardless of design improvements, which can actually attract more criminal activity.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Prison isn't just about punishment - it's about changing behaviour. Token economies use operant conditioning principles where inmates earn rewards (tokens) for good behaviour like following rules, staying drug-free, and engaging in rehabilitation programmes.
The system works brilliantly inside prison walls, but here's the catch - most inmates go back to their old ways once released. They might reoffend more slowly than before, but the positive behaviour often stops when the token system disappears. Critics argue it only works because of the extra attention prisoners receive, not the actual rewards.
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were introduced to tackle problems like vandalism and public drunkenness. Between 2000 and 2013, 24,000 ASBOs were issued with punishments up to 5 years in prison for breaches. Sounds effective, right? Wrong - 58% of orders were breached.
Key insight: ASBOs often backfired because they became a 'badge of honour' amongst young offenders, reinforcing criminal identity rather than preventing it.
The newer Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) target serious cases causing real harm to others. They can ban people from certain places or require positive actions like joining drug treatment programmes. The punishments are severe - 5 years for adults, 2 years detention for under-18s.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Every institution you're part of - school, family, workplace - has rules and consequences. Criminal justice institutions like courts, prisons, and probation services work on the same principle but with much higher stakes. They use phased discipline where first-time offenders get warnings whilst repeat offenders face harsher sanctions.
Courts sentence offenders, prisons enforce strict rules (both national prison rules and local ones set by governors), and the probation service supervises offenders in the community. It sounds like a watertight system, but there are massive gaps in state control over criminality.
Budget cuts have seriously weakened the system's effectiveness. Police budgets dropped by 19% (losing 20,000 officers), the Crown Prosecution Service lost a quarter of its budget and a third of its staff, whilst prison budgets fell 16%. That's a lot less crime-fighting power.
New technology creates both opportunities and problems. DNA profiling is expensive, and police struggle with the huge amounts of digital evidence from phones and computers. Social media platforms aren't held responsible for content like traditional publishers would be.
Reality check: Only 40% of crimes get reported to police - they can't investigate what they don't know about!
Unreported crime is a huge issue, especially for rape (1 in 4 cases reported) and white-collar crime where victims don't even realise they've been targeted. New crimes emerge faster than laws can be written, leaving legal loopholes that criminals exploit.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
4
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the complexities of social control and its limitations within the criminal justice system. This study note covers key concepts such as due process, rights of the accused, and various criminological theories. Ideal for students preparing for exams, it links to previous content and highlights essential points for achieving top marks.
CriminologyExplore a comprehensive summary of key concepts in crime and punishment, including the criminal justice system, prison dynamics, crime prevention strategies, and the roles of various agencies. This resource covers essential theories, the parliamentary law-making process, and the limitations of social control, tailored for WJEC Level 3 students. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding the complexities of crime and justice.
CriminologyQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
