Surveillance Learning Objective: *To understand what is meant by surveillance *To know the different forms it takes

Why might this sign prevent crime?

Surveillance Definition “The monitoring of public behaviour for the purposes of population or crime control. It therefore involves observing people’s behaviour to gather data about it, and typically, using the data to regulate, manage or ‘correct’ their behaviour”

Foucault: birth of the prison Recognised two different forms of punishment; Sovereign power- Monarch had absolute power over the people Disciplinary power- Institutions are controlling people by their use of surveillance The dispersal of discipline- Self-surveillance spread into other institutions according to Foucault. Such as factories, workhouses and schools

Surveillance is everywhere

Criticisms of Foucault Shift from sovereign power to disciplinary power is less clear than he suggests Wrongly assumes that the expressive aspects of punishment disappear in modern society. Goffman suggests that we are more able to resist control and that Foucault over estimate the power of surveillance.

Why might this sign prevent crime? Evidence from Norris (2012) suggests that cctv does not actually reduce crime, and may displace it instead. Gill & Loveday (2003): Function of cctv may be more ideological i.e. falsely reassuring the public about security and making it seem as if action is being taken if though it has not impact on your risk of being a victim of crime

Surveillance theories since Matheison- ‘synopticon’ everybody watches everybody- the media play a big part in this Public monitor each other with video cameras mounted to cycle helmets and dashboards to collect evidence in the event of accidents This is a way of exercising self-discipline

Surveillant assemblages Haggerty and Ericson- surveillance technologies involve manipulation of virtual objects in cyber space rather than physical bodies in physical space Actuarial Justice and risk management Feeley and Simon- new technology of power is emerging throughout the justice system *Focuses on groups rather than individuals *Prevents offenders from offending *Uses calculations or risk- e.g. young drivers risks of having an accident

Social sorting and categorical suspicion Certain social groups go under surveillance due to their risk of danger to society- This is called ‘social sorting’. Gary Marx, Counter terrorism scheme was introduced in Birmingham by the West midlands police to surround two mainly Muslim suburbs, this places whole communities under suspicion. Labelling and Surveillance Norris & Armstrong: Self-fulfilling prophecy and discrimination can be a cause of surveillance especially if certain social groups are targeted but lower offences e.g. dodging car tax go unchecked.

Homework Notes on pages 148-150 for tomorrow’s lesson please