Gabrielle Watson – författare

Respect and Criminal Justice offers the first sustained examination of ''respect'' in criminal justice in England and Wales, where the value is elusive but of persisting significance. The book takes the form of a critique of the ''respect deficit'' in policing and imprisonment. It is especially concerned with the ways in which both institutions are merely constrained and not characterised by respect. In the course of the critique, it emerges that they appeal to the word ''respect'' but rarely and only superficially address the prior question of what it is to respect and be respected. Despite academic interest in the democratic design of these institutions in recent decades, the book concludes that respect is more akin to a slogan than a foundational value of criminal justice practice.

Respect and Criminal Justice offers the first sustained examination of ''respect'' in criminal justice in England and Wales, where the value is elusive but of persisting significance. The book takes the form of a critique of the ''respect deficit'' in policing and imprisonment. It is especially concerned with the ways in which both institutions are merely constrained and not characterised by respect. In the course of the critique, it emerges that they appeal to the word ''respect'' but rarely and only superficially address the prior question of what it is to respect and be respected. Despite academic interest in the democratic design of these institutions in recent decades, the book concludes that respect is more akin to a slogan than a foundational value of criminal justice practice.

Respect and Criminal Justice offers the first sustained examination of 'respect' in criminal justice in England and Wales, where the value is elusive but of persisting significance. The book takes the form of a critique of the 'respect deficit' in policing and imprisonment. It is especially concerned with the ways in which both institutions are merely constrained and not characterised by respect. In the course of the critique, it emerges that they appeal to the word 'respect' but rarely and only superficially address the prior question of what it is to respect and be respected. Despite academic interest in the democratic design of these institutions in recent decades, the book concludes that respect is more akin to a slogan than a foundational value of criminal justice practice.

This volume celebrates the achievements of Julian V Roberts KC (Hon), Emeritus Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford, over forty years of scholarship. To mark his extraordinary influence on sentencing and criminal justice on the global stage, the contributors—a mix of international scholars and members of the judiciary—present a collection of themed essays in his honour. Roberts is a leading academic authority on sentencing theory, policy, and practice in common law jurisdictions and his work has made a landmark contribution to the analysis and development of sentencing worldwide. His work is innovative and inspired, known for identifying core challenges and defining research needs before they become central to criminal justice agendas. A distinguished group of authors engage in an interdisciplinary appreciation of Roberts' work in three distinct domains: fundamentals of sentencing and penal theory, sentencing policy and penal practice, and public opinion and criminal justice. Drawn from seven jurisdictions, the authors offer fresh insight into Roberts' past accomplishments as well as the future of the field that he continues to shape. Together, they demonstrate a collective commitment to advancing Roberts' lifelong project of normative, comparative, and empirical engagement with questions of crime and justice.

This book explores the law, philosophy, and wider implications of that brief but highly consequential moment when a judge imposes sentence on a convicted offender.Sentencing is one of the most contested aspects of contemporary criminal justice. It is an important field of study, both as an instance of coercive state power over the citizen and the point at which the statutory purposes of punishment are given concrete and public expression. Focusing on England and Wales, with occasional comparative reference to sentencing practice around the world, topics include the legal and ethical implications of pleading guilty; the origins and development of sentencing guidelines, and the ‘ordinary’ language in which the sentence itself must be pronounced in open court. Tensions arise over the appropriate treatment of cohorts including the young, racialised, mentally disordered, and dangerous, and the disparate outcomes it can generate – not only in England and Wales, but on the global stage.At a time of unprecedented crisis – from the phenomenon of ‘sentence inflation’ 50 years in the making, to the criminal court backlog, to an overcrowded prison estate – the book concludes with an appraisal and critique of the Sentencing Act 2026. Pitched as a once-in-a-generation attempt at meaningful justice reform, its precise impact remains to be seen.Key Features:-Offers an original account of a field on the verge of reform, equipping readers with a rich and robust evidence base -Reconciles classical theories of punishment with modern case law and sentencing practice -Comparative insights provide perspective and distance, enabling readers to form their own views on a complex field