Criminal justice issues
Reid Howie Associates has
undertaken a large amount of work which relates to criminal justice issues.
Some of the types of work which we have undertaken are described below.
Some of our work has had a specific focus
on prison issues or work with offenders. This has often involved the evaluation
of specific aspects of policy or particular initiatives. For example, in 2010
we carried out an evaluation of the Open Doors project in Barlinnie prison,
providing support to prisoners with mental health problems. We also started
work on a long term evaluation of a series of “Breaking the Cycle” projects,
designed to promote innovative approaches to reducing reoffending.
We have also worked with the Scottish
Prison Service to evaluate nine "Choose Life" projects designed to
address suicide and self harm among prisoners. RHA also assisted HMCIP to carry out an inspection of services for prisoners
with severe and enduring mental health issues, and an inspection of escort
services. We evaluated the use of mandatory Supervised Attendance Orders in two
pilot areas and the ‘Rough Sleepers Initiative’ funded housing projects
supporting prisoners and ex-prisoners in Scotland. In 2001, we carried out an
evaluation of the remit and functioning of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of
Prisons in Scotland. RHA also evaluated the effectiveness of the operation of
the small units in the prison service and a ‘Welfare to Work’ programme in HMP Barlinnie.
We have also carried out exploratory research with SPS, including a 2009 study of factors involved in offending by young men aged 16 and 17, and a programme of research with women offenders. We have also carried out interviews and group discussions with women prisoners as part of other studies (such as the Reducing Reoffending consultation and an evaluation of the Rough Sleepers Initiative).
RHA has also carried out analyses of consultation responses with a focus on criminal justice issues, including the Reducing Reoffending consultation carried out by the Scottish Government.
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RHA has always had a close involvement in
violence against women and domestic abuse work. We carried out research in 2010
to assess progress being made by public bodies in addressing the ministerial
priority on violence against women under the Gender Duty. RHA also analysed
responses to the Scottish Government's consultation on proposals relating to
forced marriages in 2009.
We have also carried out a number of
evaluations relating to violence against women work. For example, we carried
out an evaluation in 2010 of a Women’s Aid counselling service. We also
evaluated the pilot domestic abuse court in Glasgow. We have carried out a series
of evaluations of the Fife Domestic Abuse Forum Training and Awareness
Campaign, funded through the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund, and we
evaluated the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund for the Scottish
Executive.
We have also assisted organisations with
the preparation of domestic abuse strategies, as well as carrying out reviews
of domestic abuse work undertaken. We also prepared guidance to member states
on all aspects of violence against women for the Council of Europe in 2002.
In the late 1990s, we carried out research
for the Scottish Office to examine service provision to women experiencing
domestic abuse in Scotland, and subsequently provided research support to the
Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse which developed the National Strategy.
In 1997, we also updated a report examining
domestic abuse for the Council of Europe and produced recommendations for
governments.
In 1995, we carried out a large scale survey to examine attitudes to violence against women in Fife, in advance of the Zero Tolerance campaign.
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We have also been
involved in a range of other work which has a criminal justice focus. For
example, we carried out an evaluation of a Scottish Executive initiative to
support crime reduction measures in seven cities. We have also evaluated
community safety work in specific local areas.
We have been involved in exploratory research in the criminal justice field, and we carried out an examination of the use of stop and search in Scotland in the early 2000’s. RHA has also provided information about specific initiatives, and carried out a review of initiatives to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder.
Some of our work has related to information sharing in the criminal justice process. We were involved from 2003 – 2005 in the provision of support to an interagency group examining information sharing about sex offenders. In 2004, we carried out a study of information holding in relation to victims and witnesses. In 2002, we carried out an evaluation of the Integration of Scottish Criminal Justice Information Systems (ISCJIS).
RHA has also undertaken literature reviews with a criminal justice focus, including an exploration of provision for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, and a review of issues in civil and criminal law for women experiencing domestic abuse.
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Overview
All of this work has helped to develop our understanding of the criminal justice process in Scotland. This continues to be an a key area of interest to RHA and will continue to be a major part of our work.
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