Monthly News Bulletin
Email Bulletin March 2012
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO
A life sentence really? The resettlement of ex-prisoners with a conviction for a sexual offence and the role of a housing support charity in this process
The Centre's research associate, Helen Mills and Roger Grimshaw have undertaken research about life after prison for those with a conviction for a sexual offence. It primarily focuses on reintegration in a challenging context, dilemmas facing this group of ex-prisoners and those who are involved in their resettlement. We held a roundtable discussion with practitioners, specialists, and interested organisations, where the issues discussed included the challenges facing this area of provision given the localism agenda, and whether the tensions there are for practitioners attempting to combine `care and control' in their work. Click here to download the report.
Criminal Justice Matters 87: The August 2011 Riots
Professor Tim Hope guest edits in this issue featuring articles considering background to the August riots. In the In Focus section, the Centre's researcher, Helen Mills, examines her recently published research on the role of a housing support charity in the resettlement of ex-prisoners with a conviction for sexual offences
Critical reflections: social and criminal justice in the first year of the Coalition government
This new publication, by the Centre, evaluates the criminal justice record of the Conservative-led Coalition since it was formed. See the full report here.
The British Journal of Criminology (BJC) - `This is not Justice': Ian Tomlinson: Institutional Failure and the Press Politics of Outrage
Chris Greer and Eugene McLaughlin contribute to research on the sociology of scandal and the role of national newspapers and, newspaper editorial in setting the agenda for public debate around police accountability and miscarriages of justice. To view the full paper, click here
New essay on the riots by Susie Orbach
This essay elaborates on Susie's Eve Saville lecture on `How psychoanalytic theory can be used in social policy'. Susie also spoke at the UN in New York on `the status of women'.
OTHER STUFF
The Third Sector in Criminal Justice
Research director, Roger Grimshaw, recently spoke at the fifth ESRC seminar on the Third Sector in Criminal Justice. Roger called for new research exploring how organisations were working on behalf of the social constituencies from which they had sprung.
The Centre on Radio Four
Director, Richard Garside, was interviewed by the BBC Radio Four Law in Action programme on the Family Drug and Alcohol Court initiative. He also featured as an interviewee in the third programme in a Radio Four series `What Are the Police For?'.
The Centre's research: Essential reading
Guardian commentator, David Hill, recently wrote an article about London's young people, knives and guns, where he described the 2009 report published by the Centre on `Young People, Knives and Guns as essential reading. You can read David's article here, and can find the report here.
COMING UP
CJM seminar: `Riots, pure and simple?' Friday 20 April 2012 - 2pm - 3:30pm
Professor Tim Hope, from the University of Salford, Manchester, will be conducting an in-depth discussion on his themed section: `Riots, pure and simple', featured in the March 2012 CJM on the riots. Spaces are now very limited so it's your last chance to register an interest in attending this event, by sending an email to Natalie Mazin at:
. The seminar will take place at our Vauxhall office. Also read the government's response here.
Reform Sector Strategy Roundtable: Challenging the escalating pattern of imprisonment and growth of criminal justice over the last 30 years, Tuesday 1 May 2012 - 1pm - 5pm
The event is part of the Reform Sector Strategies projects, where we will aim to facilitate a forward looking and open-ended dialogue about the development of coherent and credible policies to reduce the use of custody, by looking back at the escalating pattern of imprisonment and growth of criminal justice over the past 30 years. If you are interested in attending this event you must register your interest by sending an email to Natalie Mazin at:
.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS...
Prison service journal, the 200th edition - Now on the Centre's website
You can find it here.
Home Office: Publications in counter-terrorism research and statistics publications
See links to research and statistical reports relating to the Terrorism Act 2000.
An evidence assessment of the routes of human trafficking into the UK
This research presents the findings from an evidence assessment conducted in 2008, designed to address human trafficking in the UK. To view the full publication, click here
Teenage girls are committing less harm
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Women in the Penal System reveals that girls are less violent than before. For more see here, and here
Home Affairs Committee on police fitness
On 13 March, the Committee heard evidence from Tim Windsor on the pay and conditions of service for police officers and staff in England and Wales. The review suggests that police could face annual fitness tests and compulsory redundancies, The Guardian, (16/03/12). Follow the link for the Independent Review. One result is that the police should have a vote on the right to strike, The Guardian, (23/03/12)
Human Rights Review 2012: The Right to Life
Article 2, the right to life is one of the most fundamental provisions in the European convention on human rights. This review backs INQUEST's concerns on detention, restraint, and independent investigation. For more, see the full article
Increasing the voluntary sector's involvement in Justice Management
This Home Office research report summarises findings from an evaluation of an initiative to support Voluntary and Community Sector involvement in Integrated Offender Management. Home Office, (13/03/12)
The National Audit Office Report: Comparing International Criminal Justice Systems
The briefing compares crime, and criminal justice data from a number of different countries. See, The National Audit Office, (March, 2012)
IN THE NEWS...
Prison governor excludes probation staff over prison privatisation row
The decision made by Bob Mullen, governor of three prisons in south Yorkshire, could potentially jeopardise `rehabilitation work with the 2,000 inmates'. The Guardian (01/03/2012) also see `privatised policing proposals draw fire', The Financial Times, (03/03/12) and `police chiefs say privatisation is the `only way' to tackle cuts, The Guardian (05/03/12). Furthermore `Lord Prescott launches campaign to "keep the police public". The Guardian (06/03/2012)
Women's prisons: Levels of self-mutilation remain shockingly high
The chief inspector of prisons claimed that `Britain should be "aghast and ashamed"' of its treatment of `some of the most disturbed women in its jails. The Independent (01/03/2012)
Charity to campaign for a new homicide law
Southall Black Sisters charity is to launch a campaign next month for a `new homicide law.
Traveller rights violated by the government
The government has been accused, by the Council of Europe, of `failing to safeguard the human rights' of the UK's Traveller population. The Independent (01/03/2012)
The controversial plans made by the Justice Secretary to hold secret court hearings
Ministers could face a cross-party revolt over Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke's plans to `hold court cases behind closed doors' The Guardian, (05/03/12).
Young migrants living in poverty
The Children's Society has noticed a marked increase in the number of young asylum seekers and refugees falling into destitution. BBC News, (24/02/2012),
Companies to receive £6000 for every prisoner they help find a job
Over 30,000 people leaving prison will be `referred to a specialist employment adviser' who will help find them a job. Daily Telegraph (06/03/2012)
Sex offenders to be eligible to have their name removed from the register
Those on the sex offenders' register will be eligible to have their names removed after 15 years. The Independent (06/03/2012)
Stalking to become a criminal offence under new government plans
David Cameron is to unveil government plans to make stalking a crime. The Daily Mail (08/03/2012)
Mephedrone: more popular since being banned
Moves to criminalise the new wave of synthetic drugs appear to have backfired. The Guardian, (11/03/12), Also see `Drug users take prescription medicines to get back to work' The Guardian, (16/03/12) Further see a recent tweet:@TheEconomist: As gang violence in Latin America soars, so do the voices of dissent against drug prohibition.
Study reveals use of `unqualified experts' in family courts
Channel 4 News has revealed that `experts' used in family courts appear to be `unqualified or unreliable' and decisions are frequently made on `flawed evidence'. The Daily Mail (13/03.2012)
Ministers push for insurers to step in as legal aid is cut Ministers are proposing that people take out insurance to cover legal expenses in the cases of catastrophic events as a replacement for legal aid. The Guardian, (14/03/12)
Unreported rapes: the silent shame
The report reveals the shocking truth about sexual violence in Britain. The Independent, (12/03/12). Also see `One in three girls are sexually assaulted by boyfriends' Daily Mail, (05/03/12)
`Kettling' by Met was legal, human rights court rules
A controversial police operation to kettling protesters in London had been judged lawful buy the European Court of Human Rights. The Guardian, (16/03/12)
Private sector takes on 999 calls
Emergency call centres are starting to be privatised. Financial Times, (21/03/12)
COMMENT(S) OF THE MONTH
Community wrecker of the year award - Tony Ball, leader of Basildon council, was nominated for two very different awards for his role in the eviction of Travellers from Dale Farm. By Jon Burnett, (28/02/12)
`NUMBERS OF THE MONTH'
43: The percentage of households that will see an increase in council tax bills. The Daily Telegraph, (01/03/12), also the percentage of Britons who have suggested they cannot afford to live on their current salary, The Daily Mail, (05/03/12)
404: The current death toll of British soldiers in Afghanistan, The Guardian, (08/03/12)
14: The rise in the percentage of applications for homelessness assistance approved by councils in England from 2010 to 2011, The Guardian, (09/03/12)
QUOTE(S) OF THE MONTH
`Like Beirut' - `Steve Churchman, who runs the village shop serving the 300 residents, said the area was "like Beirut" when he moved there from London eight years ago. `"We had a real problem with anti-social behaviour back then," said Mr Churchman. "There was this gang of kids. We had a phone box vandalised, a bus stop graffitied and a few break-ins."'
"It's an obnoxious device, evil and horrid and deserves to be written up as a seven-foot monster"
Novelist Kate Griffin describing the Mosquito anti-loitering device which inspired the Culicidae creation featured in her new novel `The Minority Council'.
From Henry Ford:
"The time will not be far when our very own workers will buy automobiles from us... I'm not saying they'll sing Caruso or govern the state. No, we can leave such ravings to the European socialists. But they will buy automobiles".
TWEETS OF INTEREST
@PAHomeAffairs: The Ministry of Justice lost or had stolen more than 50 BlackBerrys and more than 40 computers in nine months, last year, the Government admits