NCJ Number
237139
Journal
Criminology & Criminal Justice Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: September 2011 Pages: 283-305
Date Published
September 2011
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the lessons learned from New Labor's approach to tackling anti-social behavior.
Abstract
An ongoing commitment to tackling anti-social behavior was a central part of the New Labor policy agenda throughout their 13 years in government. Their policy and practice became increasingly enforcement-led with the anti-social behavior order (ASBO) at the cornerstone of their agenda. Police and local authorities came under pressure to see the ASBO, along with a whole range of other enforcement powers, as almost a panacea for tackling anti-social behavior and, in particular, youth disorder. This article draws upon the literature, the authors' own evaluation experience and recently released statistics from the Ministry of Justice and the British Crime Survey to examine the legacy of New Labor in terms of tackling anti-social behavior. These are discussed within the context of the Coalition Government's emerging ideas about how best to tackle anti-social behavior, including their plans to abandon the ASBO along with other enforcement measures introduced under New Labor. The authors suggest that rather than abandoning the ASBO altogether, there may be advantages to 'rehabilitating' the ASBO within the context of a range of more far-sighted and proactive community-based measures. The authors discuss the lessons to be learnt from New Labor's legacy and discuss ways forward within the context of coalition government policy. (Published Abstract)