1. “Substantial cuts in police numbers are likely to reduce public confidence in policing, at least to some extent, even if reductions are concentrated within ‘back-office’ functions” (Sindall and Sturgis, 2013: p.148). With reference to the relevant academic literature, discuss the recent budget cuts within policing and consider how this might affect levels of public confidence in policing.
Sindall, K. & Sturgis, P. (2013) ‘Austerity Policing: Is Visibility More Important than Absolute Numbers in Determining Public Confidence in the Police?’ European Journal of Criminology, 10(2), 137-153.doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1477370812461237

2. “If the public were better informed about the sentencing process, public attitudes would change and public confidence in sentencing would improve” (Roberts, Hough, Jackson and Gerber, 2012: p.1086). Discuss how sentencing decisions are reached in England and Wales and what effect a better informed public might have on attitudes to decision making on sentencing. Roberts, J., Hough, M., Jackson, J. & Gerber, M. (2012) ‘Public Opinion Towards the Lay Magistracy and the Sentencing Council Guidelines’, British Journal of Criminology, 52(6), 1072-1091.doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azs024

3. ‘Trial by jury has been described in terms ranging from ‘the cornerstone of British justice’ to ‘amateur justice’. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the system of trial by jury.

4. With full regard to relevant academic literature, outline the background, current concerns and possible solutions the following issues within the prison service: SELF HARM AND SUICIDE

5. Visit your local Magistrates’ or Crown Court and observe the workings of the court (including the hearing of cases) and write an account of your experiences. In your account, please consider the following:
• The nature of the offences
• The profile of the defendant/s
• The role of the magistrate/judge, court clerk, solicitors/barristers
• The public spectacle of justice
• Public opinion towards magistrates/judges
In answering this question, you need to consult the reading list (and any wider reading you have done) and relate your observations to the published literature on the subject.
This could include areas such as the use of language, the potential exclusion of defendants, the skills of magistrates etc. If you haven’t visited a court before, you may find it useful to read this guide before you go:
http://global.oup.com/uk/orc/law/els/gillespie4e/student/activities/visiting/

IMPORTANT: PLEASE use plenty of citations as one of the critisims from my last assignment was that I did not use enough. I will attach all relevent sources.