The criminal justice system is the main agency of formal
social control but some sociologists would argue that social
control is a major function of schools.
Schools cannot operate in an orderly way
unless pupils observe the rules of the
institution, they are encouraged to stick to
rules in informal ways, such as being told
off or praised by teachers. Schools are
also involved in formal social control as
formal negative sanctions can be given to
pupils who break school rules. Formal
sanctions include detentions, suspensions
and even permanent exclusions for pupils.
The prime function of the police and the criminal justice
system is social control. As agencies of social control the
police enforce the law and make sure that everyone
conforms to it. The courts then act as an agency of social
control by dealing with those that are alleged to have
broken the law and the courts can then punish them. The
prison service acts as an agent of social control as part of
the penal system to punish those f=guilty of a crime. It also
acts as a crime deterrent.
Some say the police do not apply the same standards to all citizens.
For example, the McPherson report following the murder of Stephen
Lawrence concluded that parts of the police force were institutionally
racist.
Heindensohn (1985) identifies several aspects of police
culture such as racial prejudice and misogyny, which may
result in tighter social control for some groups than for others,
but this study is dated, and police training has recognised
some of the issues raised by Heindonsohn. However, the
police have the right to 'stop and search' anyone they see as
acting suspiciously and statistics show that young black men
are the social group who are most likely to be stopped and
searched.
The armed forces are retained and
directed by the government and can be
used as an agency of social control if necessary.