Keep up-to-date with drugs and crime

The latest research, policy, practice and opinion on our criminal justice and drug & alcohol treatment systems
Search

My latest blog posts

Prison
Is building nine new prisons good news?

Our history shows that when new prisons are built, they are too frequently filled with more prisoners while old prisons are not decommissioned at all.

Featured
Latest re-offending figures sound alarm bells

This consistent upward (with the exception of juveniles released from custody) trend is worrying and many commentators will feel it reflects the substantial cuts in probation resources over recently years. Paradoxically, new private probation providers may be pleased to see the rates rise as these are likely to form the baseline for their payment by results targets.

Criminal Justice
How are Police Commissioners tackling women’s offending?

The multiple needs faced by women in contact with the criminal justice system mean that it is the responsibility of a range of agencies to work together for a more effective approach. PCCs can provide the leadership to ensure a co-ordinated approach to women’s offending.

Prison
Our prisons are getting more dangerous

This litany of figures hides of course the distress and tragedy behind all these individual incidents for both prisoners and staff. For just as self-harm incidents have increased by over one fifth, serious assaults on staff are up by over two fifths.

Alcohol/Drugs/Gambling
It’s official: Heroin treatment under threat

The ACMD found that the current quality of drug treatment in England varies significantly and is being compromised by frequent re-procurement and shrinking resources.

Payment by Results
The Work Programme – cheaper but not better

The Committee criticises the Work Programme for failing to find work for 70% claimants who it says require more personalised and intensive support to address complex barriers to working.

Policing
Details of review into deaths in police custody

To examine and identify the reasons and obstacles as to why the current investigation system has fallen short of many families’ needs and expectations, with particular reference to the importance of accountability of those involved and sustained learning following such incidents.

Alcohol/Drugs/Gambling
What’s life in recovery like?

The authors’ final conclusion notes that recovery is not just about stopping negative behaviour; it is also about making a positive contribution and engaging in society. 79.4% of survey participants reported having volunteered in community or civic groups since the start of their recovery journeys.

Criminal Justice
Hate crime up 18%

It remains extremely concerning that figures from CSEW suggest that less than one in 25 disability hate crimes were reported to and recorded by the police.

Policing
How to police London in 2020

Without public agencies, local authorities and London’s communities sharing the burden through deep collaboration, the RSA says that there is a real risk that London’s safety and security will be undermined. The report argues that the worst (but easily foreseeable) outcome
is that public services dump cost and responsibility on one another in response to resource constraints.

Subscribe

Get every blog post by email for free