Showing papers in "Howard Journal of Criminal Justice in 1988"
TL;DR: In this paper, interviews conducted with a sample of 50 convicted residential burglars in the Republic of Ireland were conducted to establish the nature of their criminal career, the characteristics of the burglaries they committed, their occupational style and their general lifestyle.
Abstract: This paper describes interviews conducted with a sample of 50 convicted residential burglars imprisoned in the Republic of Ireland. The interviews were structured to establish the nature of their criminal career, the characteristics of the burglaries they Committed, their occupational style and their general lifestyle. The results of the interviews are presented in terms of the decision to offend, occupational style and target selection and sentencing as a deterrent. The results confirm the importance of environmental cues in the selection of property to burgle, but attention is drawn to the probable role of multiple cues and cue salience. A behavioural interpretation of these results is proposed.
62 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report the results of an empirical study designed to determine what features of the immediate environment are important to juvenile house burglars in their selection of targets, finding that young burglars largely concurred as to the factors which influenced their decision when choosing a target.
Abstract: This article reports the results of an empirical study designed to determine what features of the immediate environment are important to juvenile house burglars in their selection of targets. The study involved two main subject groups: (i) convicted juvenile burglars; and (ii) adult householders. Subjects were presented with photographs of houses and asked whether or not they would choose them as a burglary target on the basis of the information available. These photographs were identical for each subject apart from a controlled factor. Data also were gathered from participants via a checklist procedure, a short interview and a surprise recognition test. The findings indicated that young burglars largely concurred as to the factors which influenced their decision when choosing a target. However, their choice of factors differed in several important respects from those which householders believed to be important to such offenders. The implications of this work for environmental crime prevention strategies are discussed.
59 citations
TL;DR: The scope for making amends - and for viewing criminal justice in reparative terms - is undermined through the current preoccupation with diverting the offender from prosecution, or mitigating the court's penalty as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: ‘Reparation’ from offender to victim may take a variety of forms and can be promoted either as an alternative to or in conjunction with the operation of our criminal courts. Several Home Office sponsored experiments have been run. The authors, who hove been monitoring these and other initiatives, conclude that the scope for making amends - and for viewing criminal justice in reparative terms - is undermined through the current preoccupation with diverting the offender from prosecution, or mitigating the court's penalty.
20 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined the relative absence of feature films dealing with adult imprisonment in Britain (compared to America) and discussed in detail the making of the first British example, "Now Barabbas" (1949).
Abstract: My aim in this paper is to contribute both to penal and film history, by examining the relative absence of feature films dealing with adult imprisonment in Britain (compared to America) and discussing in detail the making of the first British example. ‘Now Barabbas' (1949) was a film of some importance, but has been surprisingly neglected by film historians. I will attempt to explain that neglect.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the findings of a recently completed evaluation of two Neighbourhood Watch schemes in London and conclude that the lack of a more substantial success was most likely due to implementation failure and the weak design of Neighborhood Watch in the Metropolitan Police District (MPD).
Abstract: This paper presents the findings of a recently completed evaluation of two Neighbourhood Watch schemes in London The main research method was based on crime and public attitude surveys of the two Neighbourhood Watch areas before the schemes were implemented and again one year after their implementation Similar surveys were conducted in a displacement and a control area as a comparison The results showed that crime increased slightly in the scheme areas and remained constant or fell in the displacement and control areas More favourable results were shown in changes in public attitudes and behaviour The paper concludes that the lack of a more substantial success was most likely due to implementation failure and the weak design of Neighbourhood Watch in the Metropolitan Police District (MPD)
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a crisis intervention scheme looking after the mentally disturbed, and diverting them from the criminal justice system, that owes much of its success to close co-operation between the police and the scheme's social workers.
Abstract: There are many examples of relationships between police officers and social workers being hindered by suspicion and hostility. The problem is often located at street and fieldworker levels where divergent operational philosophies, practices, and goals create misunderstandings and perpetuate stereotyped attitudes. However, in Madison, U.S.A., there is a crisis intervention scheme looking after the mentally disturbed, and diverting them from the criminal justice system, that owes much of its success to close co-operation between the police and the scheme's social workers. Essentially, that co-operation was achieved by identifying the police role as case-finders and by responding to the operational needs of patrol officers.
11 citations
TL;DR: This article found that having a conviction for "violence" was strongly associated with juvenile delinquency and conduct disorder, and it was associated with certain deficiencies and distorted relationships in the natural home, and an inverse ratio between the length of time spent in care and the number of violent offences committed in adult life by boys committed to care for offences.
Abstract: 166 boys living in a deprived inner city area in Northern England, and born between 1944 and 1953 were followed up through local and national criminal records to an average age of 30. As adults, just over a quarter (26%) had a conviction for an offence against the person. Having a conviction for ‘violence’ was strongly associated with juvenile delinquency and conduct disorder. It was also found to be associated with certain deficiencies and distorted relationships in the natural home. Although boys who had been in public care for short periods contained a relatively high proportion of subjects later convicted of crimes against the person, the proportion among boys who were virtually brought up in care was much lower. There was also an inverse ratio between the length of time spent in care and the number of violent offences committed in adult life by boys committed to care for offences and being beyond control.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the position of female offenders in relation to the work of the probation service and investigate disparities between females and males in the use of probation-administered disposals, and suggest the social inquiry report to be a key factor in these.
Abstract: This paper considers the position of female offenders in relation to the work of the probation service. Using both primary and secondary data sources it investigates disparities between females and males in the use of probation-administered disposals, and suggests the social inquiry report to be a key factor in these. Possible reasons for differential treatment of females by the probation service, and other issues relating to this are also discussed.
9 citations
TL;DR: There are a number of steps which may be taken to reduce dissatisfaction in the police complaints procedure: these include better publicity and advice about the procedure, making more use of complaints to identify patterns of malpractice with a view to prevention, and providing better feedback to complainants.
Abstract: Satisfying the complainant has increasingly been stressed as an important aim of the police complaints procedure and this is implicit in the provisions contained in Part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984. This aim can only effectively be achieved if complainants have some appreciation of the new procedures and if these match the complainant's priorities. On the basis of a survey of complainants carried out prior to the introduction of the PACE provisions, this article suggests that the average complainant can be expected to have only a limited understanding of the new system. It also argues that, while some complainants will obtain more satisfaction than before (principally through the informal resolution of complaints), others will continue to be discontented for several reasons. They may object to the continued role of the police in investigating complaints, fail to achieve their objectives in complaining, or be critical of the time the procedure takes. The article concludes that there are a number of steps which may be taken to reduce dissatisfaction: these include better publicity and advice about the procedure, making more use of complaints to identify patterns of malpractice with a view to prevention, and providing better feedback to complainants.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine some of the reasons why Japan enjoys one of the most crime-free industrial societies in the world with a high concern for social justice and suggest that other societies may benefit by the adoption or adaptation of some of Japan's values and techniques.
Abstract: This article examines some of the reasons why Japan enjoys one of the most crime-free industrial societies in the world with a high concern for social justice. It begins by examining traditional values in Japanese history, particularly the importance of family and groupmembership. It shows the implications of these values for crime, justice, and the Japanese legal system. Then it discusses five post-war mechanisms contributing to Japan's continued social harmony and growing efforts towards social justice: writing groups, debating societies, neighbourhood newspapers, individual instruction in traditional arts, and gasshukus. It is suggested that other societies may benefit by the adoption or adaptation of some of Japan's values and techniques.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the implications of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 on the role of local authority social workers and the roles they are now asked to take on.
Abstract: This article examines the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its implications for Local Authority social workers and the roles they are now asked to take on. In particular the article focusses on the police detention and questioning of ‘vulnerable’ suspects like juveniles and mentally disordered people and the role of the social worker as ‘appropriate adult’. The importance of the social work role in this part of the criminal justice system is emphasised, together with a survey of the available literature to inform it and the difficulties experienced in practice.
TL;DR: In this article, the concept of an age of consent for sexual relationships is discussed and it is suggested that some such contacts between adults and children are not harmful and should therefore not be punished.
Abstract: This paper discusses the concept of an age of consent for sexual relationships, suggesting that some such contacts between adults and children are not harmful and should, therefore, not be punished.
TL;DR: The contribution of diversion schemes is considered briefly and, in particular, the use of a deferment scheme in Dumbarton, Scotland.
Abstract: Examination is made of a range of alcohol related problems and alcohol related offences in the United Kingdom, including Scotland. Traditionally only a limited number of sentences are available to the courts. The contribution of diversion schemes is considered briefly and, in particular, the use of a deferment scheme in Dumbarton, Scotland. Offenders considered suitable are referred by the court to the Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol for assessment. Those accepted for help receive individual and group counselling from voluntary counsellors. The progress of these offenders is examined at the end of the six or twelve months deferment period and again after a two year follow up.
TL;DR: In this article, the Prior Committee has presented a much praised blueprint for a complete overhaul of the prison disciplinary system, however, the intervention of the courts has made little impact in practice and the Prior committee recommendations seem destined to be relegated to the limbo of lost causes.
Abstract: There have been two important recent developments affecting the prison disciplinary system. First, the courts have intervened by way of judicial review in the matter of legal representation at adjudications and secondly, the Prior Committee has presented a much praised blueprint for a complete overhaul of the prison disciplinary system. Unfortunately, the intervention of the courts has made little impact in practice and the Prior Committee recommendations seem destined to be relegated to the limbo of lost causes. Which leaves prison disciplinary hearings subject to much the same criticisms as they have always been (see for example Justice 1983).
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the recent joint statement of the Association of Chief Officers of Probation, Central Council of Probation Committees and National Association of Probators (1987) and argue that while the broad aims set out in the document are welcome, by neglecting wider aspects of criminal justice policy and internal divisions in the probation service, the joint statement represents an inadequate basis for formulation of policy and practice.
Abstract: The author considers the recent joint statement of the Association of Chief Officers of Probation, Central Council of Probation Committees and National Association of Probation Officers (1987). She argues that while the broad aims set out in the document are welcome, by neglecting wider aspects of criminal justice policy and internal divisions in the probation service, the joint statement represents an inadequate basis for formulation of policy and practice.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors make a preliminary exploration of these areas and start to assess the ramifications for the effectiveness of the legal sanction, in relation to drinking and driving, of legal profession's own internal policy in this area.
Abstract: Investigation of the effectiveness of the criminal law as a method of controlling the drinking driver has tended to concentrate on simple deterrence theory (fear of apprehension and severity of punishment). Wider issues of stigma, informal sanctions and the instrumental expressive function of the law have been subjected to little scrutiny. This article makes a preliminary exploration of these areas and starts to assess the ramifications for the effectiveness of the legal sanction, in relation to drinking and driving, of the legal profession's own internal policy in this area, with particular reference to how it deals with its own senior members who have been convicted of the offence.