Book Review: J.V. Roberts and M. Hough Understanding Public Attitudes to Criminal Justice Berkshire: Open University Press, 2005. £21.99 ISBN-10: 033521536X; ISBN-13: 978—0335215362
| Published date | 01 February 2009 |
| Author | Ruth Penfold-Mounce |
| Date | 01 February 2009 |
| DOI | 10.1177/17488958090090010602 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
an important contribution to establishing the boundaries and developments
in surveillance studies.
J.V. Roberts and M. Hough
Understanding Public Attitudes to Criminal Justice
Berkshire: Open University Press, 2005. £21.99 ISBN-10: 033521536X;
ISBN-13: 978–0335215362
• Reviewed by Ruth Penfold-Mounce, University of York, UK
The Crime and Justice series whose titles all begin with ‘Understanding’ have
already tackled a range of relevant topics including criminological theory
(Sandra Walklate), penal theory (Barbara Hudson), white collar crime
(Hazel Croall) and victims and restorative justice (James Dignan) to name
but a few. This addition to the series explores yet another important dimen-
sion for the student of crime and criminal justice to consider, namely, public
attitudes to criminal justice. The pertinence of this exploration is confirmed
by the increasing focus of government policy on reconnecting with public
and their desires along with the problem of public misperceptions and lack
of knowledge. The book targets university degree students in crime and
criminal justice by providing a foundation for understanding in an area of
growing prominence. It offers a concise and up-to-date overview of central
concepts and findings relating to public attitudes to criminal justice. The
clear and succinct chapter introductions and summaries, glossary of key
terms and concepts along with further reading recommendations provides a
solid structure for students to expand their knowledge of this area.
There are specific chapters focusing on attitudes and knowledge about
the police, the courts, the prison system, youth justice and restorative jus-
tice. Many of the findings relating to public attitudes and criminal justice
are not hugely surprising to the academic criminologist. However for the
student studying public attitudes it is useful to have such information gath-
ered together and articulated clearly. For instance, that ‘the police always
receive the most positive ratings’ (p. 5) from the public largely due to famil-
iarity rather than competence or conduct (p. 45). In addition in Chapter 6
on ‘Attitudes to Youth Justice’ the ONS survey by the authors, via three
scenarios based on the same offence by a young offender with varying
degrees of information being supplied about the case, is a useful illustration
of how the public attitude to youth crime can change in response to their
level of knowledge (pp. 123–5). It effectively demonstrates the link between
increased knowledge and the decreased desire for custody.
By discussing and analysing key branches of criminal justice of which the
public attitude to youth crime and restorative justice is particularly insight-
ful, Roberts and Hough emphasize the link between public knowledge and
public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system. The importance
Criminology & Criminal Justice 9(1)112
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