The Policy Making Process in the Criminal Justice System

How the state ‘deals with’ crime and criminality is a major issue for all students of criminology and criminal justice. This book offers a fresh perspective on the policy making process in the criminal justice system of England and Wales by presenting a detailed overview of both the theory behind it and how it plays out in practise with contemporary policy examples.

The key features of this text include a detailed analysis of the basic political concepts surrounding the relationship between the citizen and the state as well as an overview of the state departments, organizations and individuals who are instrumental in creating and influencing policy. This book also analyses how criminal justice policy is interpreted and implemented on the street and comprises a range of discussion points and suggested further readings.

By taking a unique criminal justice focussed approach to policy making, this text is perfect for the undergraduate taking modules in criminology, criminal justice, policing, the voluntary sector and social and public policy. It will also be of interest to those who are taking more vocational routes and practitioners.

Adrian Barton is an Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Public Management and Policy at Plymouth University, UK. His background is in social policy and criminal justice. This is reflected in his primary research interests which is substance use and child protection. He has published widely in this area, including a number of books, refereed journal articles and practice-based publications.

Nick Johns is Senior Lecturer in Social and Public Policy at Cardiff University, Wales. His research interests lie in ‘race’ issues, ethnic diversity and welfare, sentencing policy and social welfare. He is co-author of Trust and Substitutes for Trust: The Case of Britain under New Labour (New York: Nova Science).