Monday, October 06, 2014

Fringe meeting on evidence-based approaches to reducing crime



Chiming nicely with Liberal Democrat crime policy, this fringe meeting takes place in the Crowne Plaza Conference Hotel, Barra Room, Glasgow, from 1pm to 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday 7 October). With refreshments!

This event will explore how research evidence is used in policy-making – with a focus on crime policy – and the barriers to the better use of clear, high-quality evidence.

It will also question misconceptions and misinformation in the political debate on crime policy and how we can use trials and experimental research on crime reduction to learn what works – and what does not.

On the panel will be:
  • Norman Baker MP, Minister of State for Crime Prevention 
  •  Sir Alan Beith MP, Chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee 
  •  Dr Prateek Buch, Director, Public Policy, Sense about Science 
  •  Dr Lisa Morrison Coulthard, Lead Policy Advisor, British Psychological Society 
  •  Caroline Turley, Joint Head, Crime and Justice Team, NatCen Social Research
Dr Prateek Buch, Director, Public Policy, Sense about Science, says:
"The public debate on crime is based on misinformation, and listening to politicians trying to appear ‘tough on crime’ sheds little light on causes of crime and trends in crime across time and nations. Crime policy often focuses on criminals and punishment when evidence shows there are more effective ways of reducing offending. We will explore why this is, how evidence refutes commonly-held assumptions on crime, and how policymakers should be on notice that the public expects a more evidence-informed approach to tackling crime."

1 comment:

Phil Beesley said...

Dr Prateek Buch, Director, Public Policy, Sense about Science, says: "The public debate on crime is based on misinformation..."

Surely there is more than one public debate about crime?

"...listening to politicians trying to appear ‘tough on crime’ sheds little light on causes of crime and trends in crime across time and nations."

Listening to politicians for anything more than rhetoric, stuff that you know about, is always painful.

"Crime policy often focuses on criminals and punishment when evidence shows there are more effective ways of reducing offending."

As a liberal, I can understand how punishment may be ineffective as a crime reduction measure. I don't understand why "crime policy" should not focus on criminals (or potential offenders).