University of York Meeting of Council 3 March 2006 The Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology by Professor Cynthia McDougall Professor Roger Bowles

Background HISTORY Founded in partnership with the Home Office AIMS To study effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of criminal justice interventions Research evidence on crime and the cost of crime Systematic reviews Fill in the gaps in research knowledge.

Achievements Studies on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of sentencing Model for identifying sentences most effective for different types of offender Review of cost methodologies for evaluating interventions Evaluation of Crime Reduction Programme Systematic Review of literature on interventions to reduce crime Published as a book in 2006.

INFLUENCE Invited speaker by Campbell Collaboration to a conference for members of US Senate in Washington Presentation to Ministerial Corrections Board, attended by Home Office Ministers and Permanent Secretary Invited speaker to Treasury seminar Regularly asked to advise Senior Economist at Treasury

IMPACT WITHIN UNIVERSITY MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology Undergraduate advanced module on forensic psychology Proposed postgraduate module in Economics Department in Law and Finance Collaborations with other Departments interested in criminal justice courses Member of Law Department Working Group

Some current projects I Treatment Change Project –2 year project, commissioned by the Home Office, started 2005 –Large team of researchers: 3 full-time RAs –Impact of Enhanced Thinking Skills (CBT) Programme on offenders in prison –Based on changes in psychometric scores (measuring degree of impulsivity etc.) –RCT approach with a waiting list control –Video monitoring & psycho-linguistic components

Some current projects II Safer School Partnerships –National evaluation for Youth Justice Board –Some findings: Impact on educational outcomes (absence, exam results) Lack of data on school-level offending and safety Application of cost-benefit analysis –Mainstreaming strategy for DfES –Ministerial launch later in month –Seminar on the link between research findings and the development of local crime prevention strategies

Some current projects III –A local-level project funded by Essex Police to review questionnaire responses from pupils, staff and parents on their attitudes to police in SSP schools –One of several such projects including a number for N. Yorks agencies including the N.Y. Probation Area and the CJB –Data analysis to complement the work of managers and data analysts –We offer expertise in the analysis of large datasets, often under-used for research purposes and evidence assembly in practical settings

Some Possible Future Research Themes I Offending and the labour market: –Deterrent impact of loss of reputation –Breaking out of an offending lifestyle –Encouraging a longer view: role of CBT –Analysis of longitudinal data Commercial crime –Crime against firms and stakeholders –Increasing use of criminalisation –Credible sanctions and corporate choices

Some Possible Future Research Themes II

So… –Police Force Areas with higher recorded burglary rates tend to contain a higher proportion of householders who describe themselves as worried or very worried about being burgled –But the relationship is far from proportionate –Why is that? What contributes to worry about crime? How do people formulate estimates of their vulnerability? Should resource allocation be driven by the fear or the reality?