Monthly News Bulletin
Email Bulletin February 2010
Welcome to the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies' monthly email bulletin, bringing you a roundup of news, research, political developments, events and updates on our work.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?
Coercion and punishment of young people counter-productive
This second briefing paper in a series of three exploring the policy challenges affecting young adults in trouble with the law was published on Friday 26 February. Written by James McGuire, Professor of Forensic Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool, and one of the most cited experts in the field, `Comparing coercive and non-coercive interventions - Transition to adulthood' argues that `the expectation that the problem of offending by young people can be solved by coercion and control is essentially illusory' and that `if one steps back and examines the available evidence dispassionately, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the policy of resorting to coercive methods is in large measure counter-productive.' The paper can be read in full here.
Scientists should feel that they can `speak truth to power' says Lord Drayson
At the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee on 24 February, Lord Drayson, the minister who was `out of the loop' when Professor Nutt was dismissed, said that it is very important that scientific advisers should be able to `speak truth to power'. The whole session, which can be viewed here (starting at 1:07:00), leaves one wondering why Professor Nutt was dismissed at all.
The first meeting of the new Committee will take place on 23 April 2010. High on the agenda will be work on `legal highs', a subject gaining increasing press coverage. There will also be a discussion and confirmation of the work programme for the year ahead and a special session on ketamine. A website and brand image are under development, and Sophie Macken has been appointed as the part time ISCD project worker and can be contacted on 020 7848 7328 or . Professor Nutt is currently speaking at one public event a week across the UK. If you want to join the `Friends of the ISCD' mailing list then please visit here.
End of an error (?)
The March issue of cjm has a new and expanded 'topical issues and comment' section covering an array of topics, including a debating section with Maurice Punch on police and organisational deviance, and articles on Sharia law, prison mental health care and restorative communities. The themed section, 'End of an error' looks at criminal justice under New Labour and includes articles from Lee Bridges, Ed Cape, Jacqueline Hodgson, Joe Sim, Steve Tombs and Dave Whyte, David Gregg and Richard Garside. We also feature a 'Criminology and politics' section where Ian Loader and Richard Sparks consider the potential for political engagement and evidence based policy as well as introducing a series of letters to government from academics.
This issue of cjm will be available to our members in March in both paper and electronic formats. If you would like to subscribe, please visit our membership pages here.
Probation Resources, Staffing and Workloads 2001-2008
The Centre published this report initially in April 2008. Its aim was to examine changes in probation service budgets, caseloads and workloads throughout the period 1997-2007. In this revised edition we have amended and clarified data in the report using new information available since spring 2008. The report can be found here.
Other stuff
Rebecca Roberts (senior policy associate), Will McMahon (policy director) and Richard Garside (director) attended a public lecture at King's College London hosted by Frances Crook of the Howard League on the topic of 'Penal Reform in Modern Society'. The emphasis was on penal 'moderation', campaigning for better (not more) community sentences and while the criminal justice system can 'never be perfect', we can, apparently, 'make it better'.
Roger Grimshaw (research director) participated in a live national discussion on 'knife crime' hosted by Paul Barclay of `Australia Talks' on ABC Radio National.
Faye Chapman (project assistant intern) heard Jack Straw speak at the RSA event to launch the National Victim's Service.
Sunita Patel and Anna Gilmour (policy associates) went to listen to practitioners at the Drug and alcohol treatment for young people event as part of the Works for Freedom project.
Meanwhile.... we are looking forward to the introduction of a new 21 hour week as outlined by the New Economics Foundation... (more here)
Also, coming soon...
Criminal Justice in an Age of Austerity and Change Wednesday, 10 March, 2010
This conference is jointly hosted by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS), the Centre for Legal Research, University of the West of England, and Centre for Criminal Justice in the Law School at the University of Warwick. It will address two main themes: a discussion of 13 years of New Labour's criminal justice policy and philosophy, and a debate about the future of criminal justice in an era of public spending cuts.
Speakers include Lee Bridges, Andrew Sanders, Ed Cape, Rod Morgan, Andrew Ashworth, Jackie Hodgson and John Benington. This conference is now at capacity...To be added to the reserve list for this invite-only conference please e-mail with your name, occupation, organisation and contact number.
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.... we're on the move and even more independent than before
In Spring/Summer 2010, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies will be moving offices and leaving King's College London. Next year will be our 80th birthday and we are looking forward to another stage in our development and establishing a wide range of partnerships with like minded organisations and bodies. More info will appear on our website and monthly ebulletin soon.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS
Women and Justice- Seeing Double: Realising Rights
This report looks at the problems faced by women of ethnic minorities in the prison system. It highlights the racial and sexual discrimination that they face and suggests some ways in which the situation can be improved by criminal justice authorities. The full report can be viewed here.
Fairer society leads to more healthy lives shock
The executive summary of the much awaited Marmot Review looks at the inequalities of health within the UK, which can be linked to inequalities within society. People in poorer areas, for example, are more likely to die younger and have disabilities than people in richer areas. Thus, a fairer society must be created, so that good health can be distributed nationwide. The full report can be viewed here.
You can read our director's personal blog on this here.
Obama's 2011 Budget: More Policing, Prisons, and Punitive Policies
The `ineffective and unfair policies' of the Obama administration are criticised in this new fact sheet from the Justice Policy Institute (JPI). Tracy Velázquez, executive director of JPI said, `If the Administration wants to buy jobs that will improve public safety, they should put that $600 million into struggling communities, schools, treatment, and social services.' You can read the report in full here.
The reality behind the `knife crime' debate
This report, by the Institute of Race Relations looks at knife crime, to provide a factual response to the `moral panic' created by the media. The report claims that the media relies on `snapshots' of young people carrying knives, which are based on a very small minority. The full report can be viewed here.
Cycles of poverty, unemployment and low pay
This report, by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, looks at the cycles of poverty. It looks specific at the causes of poverty, such as the circumstances of individuals and families. Four projects were carried out to obtain the results of this report, using various research methods, such as in-depth interviews, the examination of perspectives and statistical analysis. The full report can be viewed here
Where do you fit in?
Asks the Institute of Fiscal Studies in this online tool to work out where you are in terms of income and how many people are better or worse off than you. Try it here.
IN THE NEWS
Tories issue dodgy crime figures
The Conservatives are accused of issuing `dodgy crime figures' after suggesting that violent crime had increased dramatically under Labour. Labour and the Liberal Democrats said the Tories had failed to point out that statistics from the British Crime Survey reflect changes in the way violent crime is recorded. Guardian (04/02/2010)
Tougher penalties for deaths at work?
New sentencing guidelines mean companies responsible for deaths at work may face tougher penalties. Companies convicted of corporate manslaughter could face fines upwards of £500,000. The law has been designed to boost health and safety standards through the threat of tougher penalties. There is also the threat of up to two years in prison for individual directors, managers or employees. FT (16/02/2010) (Register free to read in full here)
Most jurors do not understand judge's legal advice
According to a report by the Ministry of Justice, two out of three jurors do not fully understand the legal directions given to them by judges as they are considering a verdict. However, Prof Cheryl Thomas of University College London, the author of the report says that the confusion does not necessarily mean the system is not working. The report concludes that the system is generally fair and effective, but more could be done to assist jurors. Guardian (17/02/2010)
From Afghanistan to Merseyside
The use of a remote controlled flying robot, by the Merseyside police, could mean they face prosecution after it was revealed they had flown it without permission- a criminal offence. The robot, equipped with thermal imaging cameras was used to track down a 16 year old who had fled from a suspected stolen car. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are now investigating Merseyside Police over their apparent unauthorised use of the surveillance drone. Guardian (15/02/2010)
QUOTEs OF THE MONTH
Home Office: The Dark Department
'I hate to agree with Michael Howard but... the Home Office didn't really believe they could change the world, that they could really make a difference to reducing crime.'
David Blunkett on the subject of the Home Office, a department whose stated objectives include to 'cut crime, especially violent, drug and alcohol related crime', speaking on the BBC's 'The Great Offices of State: The Dark Department'.
'The question is whether the public deficit is too large. Absolutely not... It could be argued that the deficit is not nearly large enough.'
Andrew Graham in The Guardian (17/02/2010)