Links between deprivation and the likelihood of being involved in the recent riots
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Transcript of Links between deprivation and the likelihood of being involved in the recent riots
CARLY LIGHTOWLERS
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
23R D NOVEMBER2011
Links between deprivation and the likelihood of being involved in the recent riots
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Overview
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Background to riots
Rushing to punishment?
What does the data tell us?
Implications for CJ agencies
Further issues and challenges
Background
Shooting of Mark Duggan (4th Aug 2011) during Operation Trident (tackling gun crime)
Riots erupted after protest on 6th Aug (6-9th August) Widespread disorder, arson and looting
Riots spread to other cities in England incl. Manchester
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The riots in numbers
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As at midday on 12th September …1715 cases at magistrates courts21% aged between 10 and 1763.4% remanded in custody
10% of cases courts in 201043% custodial sentence (average 5.1
months) 12.3% in 2010 (average 2.5 months)
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/ad-hoc/index.htm
Manchester data
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197 people charged at Manchester City Magistrates court in relation to the riots up to the 23rd August 2011
147 cases with Greater Manchester postcode majority of Greater Manchester residents
charged from activity in the riotsLinked postcodes of those charged to
Lower Super Output Areas 2008 midyear population estimates 2010 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores
Manchester data
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Some charged from all levels of deprivation
Proportion from more deprived areas was three times higher A third were in the top 10% most deprived areas
Clear association between deprivation and likelihood of being involved
These patterns are replicated for both burglary and violent offences and in criminal justice statistics more widely
Implications - Police
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Targeting resources andoperational transparency E.g. stop and search
Engagement with communities Marginalised communities and powerless
Managing tension and unrest
Public confidence and government cuts
Implications - Courts
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Balancing sentencing, fairness and proportionality Dispensation and summary justice Ethical issues surrounding use of custodial
remands as form of punishment Issues of power and class Role of exemplary sentences
Judicial system and politics Proportionality and independence Undermining justice and confidence therein
Implications – Prison and Probation
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Prison Effectiveness of prison sentences for
these offenders? Over-crowding and capacity Prison riots,
violence, self-harm? Implications for other prisoners e.g. relocation,
disruption of training and education…
Probation Capacity for pre-sentence reports and managing
offenders
Conclusions
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Apparent rush to punishment on the back of public and political pressure
Widespread implications for all CJ agencies Targeting of the powerless in society Politics vs. independence of judicial system
Need to balance punishment and retribution with more restorative approaches and community sentencing
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Rebuilding and strengthening communities
Crime, poverty and deprivationGovernment cuts and policyCrimes or poor vs. powerfulHidden crime – insurance scams etc.Social media and crime prevention‘Gangs’
Further issues and challenges