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CHAPTER 11 HOME OFFICE RESEARCH ON PRISON-RELATED TOPICS This chapter contains brief summaries of Home Office research and statistical publications on prison-related topics which have been issued since 1998. Research and statistical reports Research and statistical reports The prison population in 1999: a statistical review. Christopher Cullen and Martin Minchin. Research Findings No. 118. 2000 This Research Findings paper summarises the report ‘Prison statistics England and Wales, 1999’. A seven-year reconviction study of HMP Grendon therapeutic community. Ricky Taylor. Research Findings No. 115. 2000. This study examines the reconviction rates (within seven years) of a number of prisoners who went to HMP Grendon for therapy in the years 1984 to 1989. The findings show that prisoners treated there have lower reconviction rates than might be expected had they not gone to Grendon. Findings are similar to those of an earlier four-year follow-up study. The parole system at work: a study of risk based decision-making. Roger Hood and Stephen Shute with the assistance of Aidan Wilcox. Home Office Research Study 202, 2000. The research included a detailed examination of how Parole Board decisions are taken: how dossiers are compiled; how the Board assesses applications in relation to the Secretary of State’s directions; how decisions compare with risk assessment scores; reasons for refusal or granting parole; the influence of probation officers’ recommendations; the conduct and perceptions of interviews carried out by Parole Board Interviewing Members; and an assessment of the value they added to parole decision-making. The report also examines whether the current balance between public protection and reintegrating prisoners back into the community under supervision is correct. Parole decision-making: weighing the risk to the public. Roger Hood and Stephen Shute. Research Findings No. 114. 2000. This report summarises Home Office Research Study 202. These findings from a study of parole cases show how the Board makes decisions and the impact on the parole rate. ‘Tell them so they listen’: messages from young people in custody. Juliet Lyon, Catherine Dennison and Anita Wilson. Home Office Research Study 201. 2000. This report summarises the findings from a series of focus groups with young people in custody. It discusses their views on how they feel the criminal justice system has treated them, their opinions of current initiatives, and their hopes and aspirations for the future. Review of comparative costs and performance of privately and publicly operated prisons 1998-99. Isabelle Park. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 6/00. 2000. The report analyses the comparative costs of prisons in the public and private sectors. On average, privately operated prisons offered a saving of 13 per cent in terms of cost per prisoner in 1998-99, but little or no saving when cost per baseline and in-use places are compared. The steady convergence between private and public sector costs, which had been seen since 1994-95, did not continue into 1998-99. Home Detention Curfew – the first year of operation. Kath Dodgson and Ed Mortimer. Research Findings No. 110. 2000. Following successful trials of electronic monitoring as a community sentence, the Home Detention Curfew scheme was introduced in England and Wales from January 1999. Eligible prisoners can be released up to 60 days before the end of the custodial part of their sentences. Over 16,000 offenders have been released onto Home Detention Curfew in the first year of operation, and it is now one of the biggest electronic monitoring programmes in the world. The report includes analysis of release rates, recall figures and a summary of the findings of a process evaluation. The nature and effectiveness of drugs throughcare for released prisoners. John Burrows, Alan Clarke, Tonia Davidson, Roger Tarling and Sarah Webb. Research Findings No. 109. 2000. These findings summarise the results of a study examining the nature of drugs throughcare for severely drug dependent prisoners who were eligible for prison treatment. Drugs throughcare relates to the treatment and support offered to prisoners making the transition from prison to the community. The research gauges the impact of these interventions on offenders’ drug-taking and offending behaviour, as well as what constitutes good practice in this area. International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 1998. Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 4/00. 2000. The bulletin examines trends from 29 countries covering: recorded crime; homicide; violent crime; burglary; thefts of motor vehicles; drug trafficking offences. It also reports on the findings of a study covering custodial and other sentences in nine European countries, and on an analysis of the prison population rate in Western European countries. Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2007. Philip White and Christopher Cullen. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 2/00. 2000 The bulletin outlines the latest projections of the prison population under three different scenarios: first, on the basis of increasing custody rates and sentence lengths; second, assuming rising custody rates but sentence lengths remaining at 1999 levels; and third, on the basis of custody rates and sentence lengths remaining at 1999 levels. Predicting reconvictions for sexual and violent offences using the revised Offender Group Reconviction Scale. Ricky Taylor. Research Findings No. 104. 1999 The Offender Group Reconviction Scale (OGRS) predicts, from a limited number of criminal history and demographic factors, the probability that an offender will be reconvicted within two years of release from prison or from the start of a community penalty for any standard list offence. A revised version of OGRS is now used, which also predicts reconvictions for sexual and violent offences. This report examines the advantages and limitations of the revised OGRS, particularly in relation to predicting sexual and violent reconvictions. The cost of criminal justice. Richard Harries. Research Findings No. 103. 1999 The Home Office has been developing a computer model of the criminal justice process since 1993. The key aim of the model is to help estimate the cost of proposed policy initiatives affecting criminal law and procedure. This report presents the results of the most recent version of the model, covering the calendar year 1997 and financial year 1997–98, including the average costs of selected disposals, including prison sentences imposed at a magistrates’ court and the Crown Court. Reconviction of offenders sentenced or released from prison in 1995. Chris Kershaw, Joanne Goodman and Steve White. Research Findings No. 101. 1999 Reconviction rates are a key measure of the effectiveness of different sentences and treatment programmes in deterring or rehabilitating offenders. This report compares reconviction rates across a range of disposals, discuss patterns of offending behaviour and trends over time. The prison population in 1998: a statistical review. Philip White. Research Findings No. 94. 1999. These findings are a summary of the report ‘Prison statistics England and Wales, 1998’. Reconviction of offenders sentenced or released from prison in 1994. Chris Kershaw. Research Findings No. 90. 1999. Reconviction rates are a key measure of the effectiveness of different sentences and treatment programmes in deterring or rehabilitating offenders. These findings compare reconviction rates across a range of disposals, discuss patterns of offending behaviour, trends over time and sentencing practice on reconviction. World Prison Population List. Roy Walmsley. Research Findings No.88. 1999. The World Prison Population List gives details of the number of prisoners held in some 180 independent countries and dependent territories. It shows the differences in the levels of imprisonment across the world and makes possible an estimate of the world prison population total. Incentives and earned privileges for prisoners - an evaluation. Alison Liebling, Grant Muir, Gerry Rose and Anthony Bottoms. Research Findings No. 87. 1999. The Prison Service Incentives and Earned Privileges Policy was introduced in 1995. Prisoners are expected to earn additional privileges through responsible behaviour, participation in hard work and other constructive activity. This report evaluated the impact and implementation of this system. STEP 3: an evaluation of the Prison Sex Offender Treatment Programme. Anthony Beech, Dawn Fisher and Richard Beckett. Occasional Paper. 1998. This study evaluated the efficacy of treatment for sex offenders in Category C prisons. It examines the impact of the Core Programme on a sample of men who have offended against adult victims and/or are sexual murderers. Transfers from prison to hospital - the operation of section 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Ronnie Mackay and David Machin. Research Findings No. 84. 1998. Remand prisoners requiring urgent in-patient psychiatric treatment can be transferred from prison to hospital under section 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This study examined the use of this section in 1992, including a two-year reconviction follow-up of the prisoners transferred. HIV/AIDS risk behaviour among adult male prisoners. John Strang, Joan Heuston, Michael Gossop, John Green and Tony Maden. Research Findings No. 82. 1998. A survey of HIV/AIDS risk behaviour among adult males was undertaken in 13 prisons in England and Wales. The survey looked at the behaviour associated with drug injecting, sexual practices and tattooing. It also examined the life histories of those concerned, the impact of imprisonment on them and their intentions in the future. Age limits for babies in prison: some lessons from abroad. Diane Caddle. Research Findings No.80. 1998. Four prisons in England have units which accommodate mothers and their babies (until they reach the age of either nine months or eighteen months). The Prison Service often faces pressure to expand these facilities to cater for older children. A survey was undertaken of provision in other countries. Using this information, some of the practical implications of allowing babies to stay in prison beyond the age of eighteen months are outlined in the report. An evaluation of the prison sex offender treatment programme. Anthony Beech, Dawn Fisher, Richard Beckett and Ann Scott-Fordham. Research Findings No.79. 1998. This evaluation examined twelve treatment groups (about eight men in each) in six prisons. It looked at the effect of this programme on offenders’ readiness to admit to offensive behaviour, pro-offending attitudes, social competence and their knowledge of relapse-avoiding techniques. These findings are confined to men who had abused children. A review of classification systems for sex offenders. Dawn Fisher and George Mair. Research Findings No. 78. 1998. The Home Office and Scottish Office commissioned a review of classification systems for sex offenders. The review examined the various types of systems with a view to recommending schemes which would be reliable, efficient, pertinent to a large number of offenders and cheap and simple to administer. The prison population in 1997: a statistical review. Philip White. Research Findings No. 76. 1998. These findings are a summary of the report Prison Statistics in England and Wales, 1997. Mandatory drug testing in prisons: the relationship between MDT and the level and nature of drug misuse. Kimmett Edgar and Ian O’Donnell. Home Office Research Study 189 and Research Findings No.75. 1998. This research assessed the impact of the Prison Service’s Mandatory Drug Testing programme on the nature and extent of prisoners’ drug misuse. Both staff and prisoners were interviewed in five establishments serving different functions and located in different parts of the country. Voluntary after-care. Mike Maguire, Peter Raynor, Maurice Vanstone and Jocelyn Kynch. Research Findings No. 73. 1998. Probation services in England and Wales have traditionally carried out voluntary after-care work in addition to their statutory tasks, but many now treat it as a low priority. These findings consider the extent of this service, the kinds of prisoners taking it up, the levels of unmet need and demand for such a service, the variations in local probation policy and practice and the views of probation managers and staff on the priority given to voluntary after-care. Sentencing practice: an examination of decisions in magistrates' courts and the Crown Court in the mid-1990's. Claire Flood-Page and Alan Mackie. Home Office Research Study 180. 1998. This study examines sentencing practice in magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court. It incorporates a survey of 3,000 sentenced cases in 25 magistrates’ courts, interviews with 126 magistrates and almost 2,000 sentenced cases in 18 Crown Court centres. It provides information about factors which influence the sentencing decision, and about magistrates’ views on the different sentencing options. It discusses possible sources of disparity in sentencing and examines changes in sentencing patterns over the past few years. Two publications giving guidance for evaluators have been published as part of the Crime Reduction Programme. Both are relevant to those involved in the evaluation of prison-based programmes. Analysis of costs and benefits: guidance for evaluators. Sanjay Dhiri and Sam Brand. Crime Reduction Programme – guidance note 1. 1999. This document is designed to give practical guidance to evaluators undertaking an analysis of cost-effectiveness. It includes the methodological principles, processes and standards that underpin such an analysis and specifies the key tasks and responsibilities of evaluators. It focuses on the practical issues of how to gather and analyse information on the costs of intervention and how to relate this to outputs and outcomes. Programmes for offenders: guidance for evaluators. Maureen Colledge, Patrick Collier and Sam Brand. Crime Reduction Programme – guidance note 2. 1999. The Crime Reduction Programme and the Prison Service programme for developing constructive regimes have provided a substantial injection of funds to expand programmes for offenders. With this funding comes a commitment to evaluate the impact of the extra spending on levels of crime. These guidelines come in three parts: general principles to be borne in mind when designing evaluations; key outcome measures and ways they can be measured; how to evaluate costs and benefits. Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System: a Home Office publication under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares. 1999. Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System: a Home Office publication under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares. 1998. Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System: a Home Office publication under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Jessica Harris. 1999. Digest 4: information on the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Edited by Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares. 1999. This is the fourth in a series of Digests which aim to present a comprehensive picture of crime and justice in England and Wales. The Digest summarises information from a wide range of Home Office research and statistical sources, supplemented by information from other Government Departments and outside bodies. It includes chapters on: crime; victims; offending and offenders; pre-court and court action; sentencing; prisons; reconvictions; human resources; expenditure and costs. Home Office Research Studies, Research Findings, Crime Reduction Programme guidance notes, Section 95 publications, Statistical Bulletins, the Digest and Occasional Papers are all available from the Communication and Development Unit, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, Room 201, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AT. Telephone 020 7273 2084. Email requests to: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Back to prisons © Crown Copyright 2000
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