Dave O’Brien (University of Edinburgh, UK) published in IPPR Progressive Review Volume 26 Issue 2 (Autumn 2019)
Abstract
Is cultural policy a problem or a solution for social inequality?
Full text (PDF 10pp)
In view of the shortness of the abstract, and to save you reading the whole article, here are some of the highlights.
“cultural policy can be both the least and the most important area of government. Yet it remains neglected”
“two sets of problems for cultural policy: inequalities that are within the cultural sector; and the impact of culture on social inequalities more generally”
“the impact of culture on criminal justice, education, urban regeneration and health has not been fully embraced by government”
“much more detailed and strategic thinking is needed to change the relationship between cultural organisations and sections of the public”
“The cultural sector has to take responsibility for its role in the continued exclusions of those who do not replicate the white, middle‐class standard that dominates the cultural sector”
Showing posts with label criminal_justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label criminal_justice. Show all posts
Monday, 30 September 2019
Tuesday, 11 June 2019
When in Rome... On local norms and sentencing decisions
a column by David Abrams, Roberto Galbiati, Emeric Henry and Arnaud Philippefor VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
The rule of law in advanced democracies is based on the assumption that the law and its application are the same for all citizens. But research has shown that judges respond to ideology or political biases in their sentencing decisions.
This column examines how location can also influence criminal court sentences using data from the US state of North Carolina’s superior court system. It shows that, even after controlling for characteristics of judges, sentencing varies by location and responds to local norms.
Continue reading
The rule of law in advanced democracies is based on the assumption that the law and its application are the same for all citizens. But research has shown that judges respond to ideology or political biases in their sentencing decisions.
This column examines how location can also influence criminal court sentences using data from the US state of North Carolina’s superior court system. It shows that, even after controlling for characteristics of judges, sentencing varies by location and responds to local norms.
Continue reading
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
The blurred edges of intellectual disability
an article by Val Williams, Paul Swift & Victoria Mason (School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, UK) published in Disability & Society Volume 30 Issue 5 2015
Abstract
The label of ‘intellectual disability’ can be a very blurred concept, because for those on the borders their label often arises from the interaction of the individual with their environment, from their socio-economic status, and from the social role which they choose to undertake.
This paper explores the contested notion of intellectual disability in the context of people who have been in trouble with the law in England, and contrasts their situation with that of people who have been protected by best interests decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (England and Wales). People who are on the ‘borderline’ of having an intellectual disability, like any citizens, have a range of intersecting identities.
Drawing on the notions of ‘interactional’ disability theory, we reflect on the shifting, relative nature of intellectual disability, and the need for the law to focus on support needs, rather than on impairment.
Abstract
The label of ‘intellectual disability’ can be a very blurred concept, because for those on the borders their label often arises from the interaction of the individual with their environment, from their socio-economic status, and from the social role which they choose to undertake.
This paper explores the contested notion of intellectual disability in the context of people who have been in trouble with the law in England, and contrasts their situation with that of people who have been protected by best interests decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (England and Wales). People who are on the ‘borderline’ of having an intellectual disability, like any citizens, have a range of intersecting identities.
Drawing on the notions of ‘interactional’ disability theory, we reflect on the shifting, relative nature of intellectual disability, and the need for the law to focus on support needs, rather than on impairment.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
The UK Coalition government: Constructing public service reform narratives
an article by Chris Painter (Birmingham City University, UK) published in Public Policy and Administration Volume 28 Number 1 (January 2013)
Abstract
Narrative stories offer insight into political agency and constructed reality. They are also part of the armoury for maintaining political ascendancy.
The UK Cameron–Clegg Coalition government’s public service reform narrative juxtaposed its open, transparent and decentralised approach with the top-down configuration of institutional power attributed to New Labour. The more complex reality of public service reform is exemplified particularly from the criminal justice arena.
From a structuralist perspective, the Coalition’s reform trajectory has been related to emergent realities of networked governance. But here too more ambiguous influences were at work with reform again proving more problematic than anticipated.
Full text of an earlier version of this article (PDF 20pp)
Abstract
Narrative stories offer insight into political agency and constructed reality. They are also part of the armoury for maintaining political ascendancy.
The UK Cameron–Clegg Coalition government’s public service reform narrative juxtaposed its open, transparent and decentralised approach with the top-down configuration of institutional power attributed to New Labour. The more complex reality of public service reform is exemplified particularly from the criminal justice arena.
From a structuralist perspective, the Coalition’s reform trajectory has been related to emergent realities of networked governance. But here too more ambiguous influences were at work with reform again proving more problematic than anticipated.
Full text of an earlier version of this article (PDF 20pp)
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Is a number worth a thousand pictures?
via New Philanthropy Capital’s Blog by Sarah Keen
Anyone who has played a musical instrument, painted a picture or performed in a play knows that the arts are not the soft option. The arts may be enjoyable, but they also have the ability to engage people, to develop their skills and sense of responsibility, and to foster better relationships.
For these reasons the arts have long been used to help rehabilitate offenders or those at risk of getting involved in crime. And yet arts charities have traditionally struggled to provide hard evidence of their effectiveness, particularly in achieving criminal justice system targets.
Today [was 25 October] we launch a report that explores whether the value of the arts in criminal justice can be shown through economic analysis. Commissioned by the Arts Alliance, the report takes three arts charities – Clean Break, Only Connect and Unitas – and quantifies the costs and estimated benefits of their interventions.
The three charities that we look at provide savings to the public purse as well as improve the life chances of the people helped. Our best estimates shows that these three charities provide returns on investment of between £3 and £6 for every £1 invested.
However, our findings could have been more conclusive with better data. Economic analysis has the potential to be a powerful tool for valuing the arts in criminal justice,but charities, funders and the government need to prioritise better data collection and access so that economic analysis gives the numbers that fully and accurately capture the value of arts in criminal justice.
You can download the full report, executive summary or press release here.
Anyone who has played a musical instrument, painted a picture or performed in a play knows that the arts are not the soft option. The arts may be enjoyable, but they also have the ability to engage people, to develop their skills and sense of responsibility, and to foster better relationships.
For these reasons the arts have long been used to help rehabilitate offenders or those at risk of getting involved in crime. And yet arts charities have traditionally struggled to provide hard evidence of their effectiveness, particularly in achieving criminal justice system targets.
Today [was 25 October] we launch a report that explores whether the value of the arts in criminal justice can be shown through economic analysis. Commissioned by the Arts Alliance, the report takes three arts charities – Clean Break, Only Connect and Unitas – and quantifies the costs and estimated benefits of their interventions.
The three charities that we look at provide savings to the public purse as well as improve the life chances of the people helped. Our best estimates shows that these three charities provide returns on investment of between £3 and £6 for every £1 invested.
However, our findings could have been more conclusive with better data. Economic analysis has the potential to be a powerful tool for valuing the arts in criminal justice,but charities, funders and the government need to prioritise better data collection and access so that economic analysis gives the numbers that fully and accurately capture the value of arts in criminal justice.
You can download the full report, executive summary or press release here.
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