Policies dealing with crime - or at least being seen to deal with it - are a central features of contemporary British political life. Crime and crime statistics receive wide exposure and evoke strong public outcry, and politicians are often judged as much by the speed and tone of their reactions as by their considered responses. In this timely volume Lord Windlesham examines how criminal justice policy is first formulated and then enacted at Parliamentary and
Government level. Drawing upon scholarly material and his experience as a former Home Office Minister, Lord Windlesham identifies the pressures which traditionally and typically influence policy
decisions. Emerging from his analysis is an appreciation of how the articulation of policy is often less coherent than it seems. Scholarly and accessible, this thought-provoking book will be of interest to the general reader as well as being required reading for academics and those involved in the administration of criminal justice today.
Industry Reviews
A remarkable book. It is certain that no one else has written anything to compare with it and probable that no one else living could have done so.'
Lord Longford, Catholic Herald
`Deeply impressive ... elegantly written ... this wealth of information is subjected to the kind of scrutiny that only a former Minister could bring to bear, and the judgement of one of wide-ranging public experience ... will undoubtedly prove an invaluable reference work for many years to come.'
New Law Journal
`Before he implements any new policy, Mr Howard should read Lord Windlesham's Responses to Crime ... a readable and scholarly analysis of the recent history of our criminal justice system from 1947 and, in particular, the genesis of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 ... Lord Windlesham's book is indispensable reading for all those involved in teh making of penal policy. the tragedy is that those most in needs of the lessons he provides are least likely
to pay attention.'
David Pannick, The Times
` Lord Windlesham ... has written two books on the history of penal reform since the war which have no rivals.'
Lord Longford, The Tablet
From reviews of Volume 1:
`an excellent guide to the existing responses to crimeDSin short compass the best I know. It will be useful to the scholar, invaluable to the student whether his, or her, subject be politics, law or sociology; and of great interest to all thoughtful people concerned with the current state of our society.' Lord Scarman
`This is a civilised book about one of the least civilised institutions of British society ... Lord Windlesham is at his most engagingDShe writes with an agreeable fluencyDSand compelling when he talks of those parts of the system with which he is most familiar.' Listener
`Responses to Crime is written with an elegance of style that is rapidlyDSand sadlyDSbecoming extinct, and ranges widely over the entire field ... a mass of detailed material that will provide an invaluable source of data.'
Times Literary Supplement
`an impressive and useful addition to the literature ... a convenient source of authoritative reference' British Journal of Criminology
`deeply impressive volume ... The story is elegantly written and told with the help of Home Office and other official sources ... This wealth of information is subjected to the kind of scrutiny that only a former Minister could bring to bear, and the judgement of one of wide-ranging public experience ... This book, like its predecessor, will undoubtedly prove an invaluable reference work for many years to come.'
New Law Journal
`Important reading ... expecially for politicians and officials ... the lessons ... are revealing, provocative and sometimes disturbing.'
The Times Literary Supplement
`Lord Windlesham ... has written two books on the history of penal reform since the war which have no rivals.'
The Tablet
`an unusual insight into the development of criminal-justice policy, legislation and practice ... important reading for scholars and practitioners, and perhaps especially for politicians and officials ... His account of events in Parliament, in the Home Office and in the Conservative Party - including the significance of party conferences - is especially penetrating, accurate and relevant'
Times Literary Supplement
`Responses to Crime is unusual, and possibly unique, in providing a dispassionate analysis of the main events and influences which shaped criminal justice policies from 1947 to 1992 ... Current events provide a sharp reminder of the importance of this kind of study.'
British Journal of Criminology
