Book review: Hate Crime: Impact, Causes and Responses (2nd edition)
| Author | James Pickles |
| Published date | 01 September 2016 |
| Date | 01 September 2016 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0269758016649066 |
| Subject Matter | Book reviews |
does not consider the distinction between state and community, which is a pity but one study can
never tackle all the issues no matter how important these issues are.
Overall, I find this study exceptional. Compared with previous studies on the topic, its contri-
bution lies in what is noted by the author: ‘there has been no up-to-date study of the restorative
component of referral orders, and certainly not on the role of community in youth offender panels’
(p. 78); this is perhaps the first systematic study to both theoretically and empirically examine the
notion of community involvement in RJ programmes. Additionally, this book brings forward a call
for reflection upon the claims that have been easily made but not empirically tested. It is a shame
that so far so few studies have given due attention to the ‘commonplace’ ideas and notions
regarding the role of community in RJ. Rosenblatt’s work is a wake-up call for stubborn minds,
and stimulates more groundbreaking studies and insights in the future.
Reference
Crawford A and Clear T (2001) Community justice: transforming communities through restorative justice. In
Bazemore G and Schiff M (eds) Restorative Communit y Justice: Repairing Harm and Transforming
Communities. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing, pp.127–149.
Neil Chakraborti and Jon Garland (eds)
Hate Crime: Impact, Causes and Responses (2nd edition)
London: SAGE, 2015, pbk, ISBN 978-1-4462-7251-0, xv þ192 pp.
Reviewed by: James Pickles, Northumbria University, UK
DOI: 10.1177/0269758016649066
In this updated textbook Chakraborti and Garland compile an overview of the relevant and current
legislation, discourses, and social problems pertaining to hate crime. This is a welcome edition for
students, criminologists and hate crime scholars who seek an up to date and comprehensive under-
standing of hate crime. The book holistically interlaces current scholarly debates on the causes,
impacts and problems of hate crime with legislative and criminal justice responses. Structured and
separatedinto 11 chapters, each chapteris dedicated to a particular areaof hate crime, creating an easy
and accessibleformat as a textbook. Much of what is discussedis situated in the UK; however, this is
reflexively balanced with international perspectives and processes ofhate crime in a global context.
Chapter 1 introduces the main premise of the book and acts as a preface by discussing the
academic and legal definitions of hate crime. It provides a solid foundation needed to understand
the interdisciplinary perspectives on hate crime by discussing the problems faced when defining
‘hate crime’. The conflicts in scholarly debates and the current disputes surrounding hate crime
terminology and legislation are well covered. It is cemented as a comprehensive introductory
chapter before dedicating the following five chapters to each recognised strand of hate crime.
Chapter 2 provides a thorough discussion on how ethnicity is used as a tool to victimise people.
A clear picture of the historical racism within the UK is provided as a backdrop to contemporary
debates on racism. Key socio-political events are assessed sufficiently, such as the murder of
Stephen Lawrence and the Macpherson Report’s findings on institutionalised racism. These exam-
ples provide a holistic discussion which brings together political, social, legislative and academic
understandings of racist hate crime.
Book reviews 361
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