CARLY LIGHTOWLERS

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

23R D NOVEMBER2011

Links between deprivation and the likelihood of being involved in the recent riots

Carly Lightowlers 1

Overview

Carly Lightowlers 2

Background to riots

Rushing to punishment?

What does the data tell us?

Implications for CJ agencies

Further issues and challenges

Background

Shooting of Mark Duggan (4th Aug 2011) during Operation Trident (tackling gun crime)

Riots erupted after protest on 6th Aug (6-9th August) Widespread disorder, arson and looting

Riots spread to other cities in England incl. Manchester

Carly Lightowlers 3

The riots in numbers

Carly Lightowlers 4

As at midday on 12th September …1715 cases at magistrates courts21% aged between 10 and 1763.4% remanded in custody

10% of cases courts in 201043% custodial sentence (average 5.1

months) 12.3% in 2010 (average 2.5 months)

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/ad-hoc/index.htm

Manchester data

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197 people charged at Manchester City Magistrates court in relation to the riots up to the 23rd August 2011

147 cases with Greater Manchester postcode majority of Greater Manchester residents

charged from activity in the riotsLinked postcodes of those charged to

Lower Super Output Areas 2008 midyear population estimates 2010 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores

Manchester data

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Some charged from all levels of deprivation

Proportion from more deprived areas was three times higher A third were in the top 10% most deprived areas

Clear association between deprivation and likelihood of being involved

These patterns are replicated for both burglary and violent offences and in criminal justice statistics more widely

Implications - Police

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Targeting resources andoperational transparency E.g. stop and search

Engagement with communities Marginalised communities and powerless

Managing tension and unrest

Public confidence and government cuts

Implications - Courts

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Balancing sentencing, fairness and proportionality Dispensation and summary justice Ethical issues surrounding use of custodial

remands as form of punishment Issues of power and class Role of exemplary sentences

Judicial system and politics Proportionality and independence Undermining justice and confidence therein

Implications – Prison and Probation

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Prison Effectiveness of prison sentences for

these offenders? Over-crowding and capacity Prison riots,

violence, self-harm? Implications for other prisoners e.g. relocation,

disruption of training and education…

Probation Capacity for pre-sentence reports and managing

offenders

Conclusions

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Apparent rush to punishment on the back of public and political pressure

Widespread implications for all CJ agencies Targeting of the powerless in society Politics vs. independence of judicial system

Need to balance punishment and retribution with more restorative approaches and community sentencing

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Rebuilding and strengthening communities

Crime, poverty and deprivationGovernment cuts and policyCrimes or poor vs. powerfulHidden crime – insurance scams etc.Social media and crime prevention‘Gangs’

Further issues and challenges

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Thank you for listeningCarly Lightowlers

carly.lightowlers@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk