NCJ Number
216988
Date Published
January 2007
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of an independent assessment of the impact of the criminal justice policies of the British Labour Government, which assumed power in 1997 with the promise to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime."
Abstract
After initially following the spending plans of the previous Conservative administration, the Labour Government dramatically increased criminal justice spending from 2000 onwards. Overall, however, it is difficult to determine whether or not increased spending has had its intended effect, because the impact that criminal justice agencies have on fluctuating levels and patterns of crime is difficult to assess. On the face of it, Labour's record on crime is good. Official crime rates have declined by 35 percent since 1997, and the government is close to reaching its target of a 15-percent reduction in crime over 5 years (to 2007-2008), as measured by the British Crime Survey. On closer inspection, the various successes in reducing crime are not as impressive as they first appear, however. Goals were set on the basis of existing trends that may have continued regardless of government action. Specific crime targets also ignored many serious crimes, which undermines the significance of meeting specified crime-reduction goals. The increase in homicides since 1997, for example, undermines claims of increased public safety. Labour has generally met its targets in bringing more offenders to justice, but it has not met its targets on reducing reoffending. Notable successes in increasing the number of police officers and increasing the number of people entering drug treatment have been achieved, along with the more rapid processing of young offenders. Remaining issues are an increased number of juveniles in custody and resistant high levels of drug use, availability, and associated harms. 20 tables and 89 notes