Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
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Criminology
4 Dec 2025
319
3 pages
Demetra @demetra_21
Understanding how effectively different agencies achieve social control is crucial for grasping how our justice system actually works... Show more
The police show mixed results in achieving social control, with some promising improvements alongside serious ongoing issues. Recent years have seen a 26% increase in recorded crime and a welcome boost of 21,000 additional staff members between 2019-2023. Public confidence remains relatively strong, with 74% of adults expressing trust in police work.
However, budget cuts between 2010-2018 created lasting damage, with 19% funding reductions leading to 20,000 job losses. This has forced police to prioritise certain crimes while neglecting others, directly impacting their ability to maintain comprehensive social control.
High-profile cases like Banaz Mahmood (who sought help five times before being murdered) and the institutional racism revealed in the Stephen Lawrence case highlight serious systemic failures. The Wayne Couzens case further damaged public trust, showing how individual officers can abuse their power.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains an impressive 83% success rate and has shown recent improvements in rape and domestic abuse prosecutions. Yet severe budget cuts (25% reduction, losing a third of staff) have compromised their effectiveness, leading to questionable decisions like dropping cases for bureaucratic rather than justice-based reasons.
Key Point Both agencies face the challenge of rebuilding public trust whilst managing reduced resources and increasing crime rates.
The judiciary benefits from judicial independence, keeping court decisions separate from government influence. Gender representation has improved significantly, with 51% of judges now being women, and consistency appears strong with only 62 cases requiring sentence increases for being "unduly lenient" in 2012.
However, the justice system still struggles with demographic bias. A staggering 74% of judges attended private schools or Oxbridge universities, leading to criticism that they're "middle-aged, middle-class and middle-minded." Cases like Lavinia Woodward (who received a suspended sentence after stabbing her boyfriend, partly due to her promising career) demonstrate how class bias can undermine fair sentencing.
Prisons excel at their basic security function, with only one recorded escape in 2021-2022. They also provide valuable opportunities through temporary release programs for education and employment.
The prison system faces critical challenges that undermine its social control effectiveness. Reoffending rates hover around 50% within one year of release, suggesting prisons aren't successfully rehabilitating offenders. Budget cuts (16% reduction with 15% staff losses) have created dangerous conditions, with 58% of prisons overcrowded and 45% of inmates reporting easy access to illegal drugs.
Key Point While prisons keep dangerous individuals contained, their failure to prevent reoffending means they're not achieving long-term social control.
Probation services show mixed results in supporting offenders' reintegration into society. The 2021 increase of over 4,000 staff members has reduced caseloads, potentially improving supervision quality. London's National Probation Service achieved a 59% success rate for completed probation periods, though this falls short of the 65% target.
The 2014 decision to privatise probation services through Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) proved disastrous for social control. A shocking 19 out of 21 CRCs failed to meet rehabilitation targets, with housing support dropping from 70% to just 54%. High-profile failures like Joseph McCann (who committed multiple serious offences while on probation) demonstrate how poor supervision can directly threaten public safety.
Charities and pressure groups play an increasingly vital role in achieving social control through rehabilitation and support. Organisations like NARCO have helped 3,000 ex-offenders with housing and supported 4,900 people through education programs. The "Ban the Box" campaign successfully convinced over 130 employers to remove criminal conviction questions from job applications, improving ex-offenders' employment prospects.
Financial constraints severely limit charitable effectiveness. Between 2010-2020, these organisations lost over £3 billion in government funding, making them heavily dependent on unpredictable public donations and volunteer support.
Key Point Community-based agencies often achieve better rehabilitation outcomes than formal criminal justice institutions, but chronic underfunding limits their impact on overall social control.
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.
6
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes 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
Demetra
@demetra_21
Understanding how effectively different agencies achieve social control is crucial for grasping how our justice system actually works in practice. This evaluation looks at the real strengths and weaknesses of police, courts, prisons, probation services, and charities in controlling crime... Show more
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The police show mixed results in achieving social control, with some promising improvements alongside serious ongoing issues. Recent years have seen a 26% increase in recorded crime and a welcome boost of 21,000 additional staff members between 2019-2023. Public confidence remains relatively strong, with 74% of adults expressing trust in police work.
However, budget cuts between 2010-2018 created lasting damage, with 19% funding reductions leading to 20,000 job losses. This has forced police to prioritise certain crimes while neglecting others, directly impacting their ability to maintain comprehensive social control.
High-profile cases like Banaz Mahmood (who sought help five times before being murdered) and the institutional racism revealed in the Stephen Lawrence case highlight serious systemic failures. The Wayne Couzens case further damaged public trust, showing how individual officers can abuse their power.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains an impressive 83% success rate and has shown recent improvements in rape and domestic abuse prosecutions. Yet severe budget cuts (25% reduction, losing a third of staff) have compromised their effectiveness, leading to questionable decisions like dropping cases for bureaucratic rather than justice-based reasons.
Key Point: Both agencies face the challenge of rebuilding public trust whilst managing reduced resources and increasing crime rates.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The judiciary benefits from judicial independence, keeping court decisions separate from government influence. Gender representation has improved significantly, with 51% of judges now being women, and consistency appears strong with only 62 cases requiring sentence increases for being "unduly lenient" in 2012.
However, the justice system still struggles with demographic bias. A staggering 74% of judges attended private schools or Oxbridge universities, leading to criticism that they're "middle-aged, middle-class and middle-minded." Cases like Lavinia Woodward (who received a suspended sentence after stabbing her boyfriend, partly due to her promising career) demonstrate how class bias can undermine fair sentencing.
Prisons excel at their basic security function, with only one recorded escape in 2021-2022. They also provide valuable opportunities through temporary release programs for education and employment.
The prison system faces critical challenges that undermine its social control effectiveness. Reoffending rates hover around 50% within one year of release, suggesting prisons aren't successfully rehabilitating offenders. Budget cuts (16% reduction with 15% staff losses) have created dangerous conditions, with 58% of prisons overcrowded and 45% of inmates reporting easy access to illegal drugs.
Key Point: While prisons keep dangerous individuals contained, their failure to prevent reoffending means they're not achieving long-term social control.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Probation services show mixed results in supporting offenders' reintegration into society. The 2021 increase of over 4,000 staff members has reduced caseloads, potentially improving supervision quality. London's National Probation Service achieved a 59% success rate for completed probation periods, though this falls short of the 65% target.
The 2014 decision to privatise probation services through Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) proved disastrous for social control. A shocking 19 out of 21 CRCs failed to meet rehabilitation targets, with housing support dropping from 70% to just 54%. High-profile failures like Joseph McCann (who committed multiple serious offences while on probation) demonstrate how poor supervision can directly threaten public safety.
Charities and pressure groups play an increasingly vital role in achieving social control through rehabilitation and support. Organisations like NARCO have helped 3,000 ex-offenders with housing and supported 4,900 people through education programs. The "Ban the Box" campaign successfully convinced over 130 employers to remove criminal conviction questions from job applications, improving ex-offenders' employment prospects.
Financial constraints severely limit charitable effectiveness. Between 2010-2020, these organisations lost over £3 billion in government funding, making them heavily dependent on unpredictable public donations and volunteer support.
Key Point: Community-based agencies often achieve better rehabilitation outcomes than formal criminal justice institutions, but chronic underfunding limits their impact on overall social control.
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.
6
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes 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
