Talking punishment: How victim perceptions of punishment change when they communicate with offenders

The myth that restorative justice is the opposite of retributive justice persists, despite a long history of rhetorical challenges. Only empirical evidence can advance the debate, so this article investigates the relationship between punishment and victim–offender communication from the victim’s perspective. Interviews with 40 victims of crime established that some victims saw victim–offender communication and punishment as alternatives, and others saw them as independent. However, more than half the participants expected that communicating with the offender would increase their satisfaction with the offender’s punishment or reported afterwards that this was in fact the case, suggesting that some victims fulfil punishment objectives through communication with the offender. The changes occurred when victims received information about the offender’s punishment, received feedback from the offender or used communication with the offender to impose a mild punishment of their own. Victims were not excessively punitive, but this study demonstrates the existence of an association between punishment and victim–offender communication from at least some victims’ perspectives. This article argues that we should not ignore or attempt to eliminate this relationship. Rather, acknowledging and examining the existence of punishment within victim–offender communication would improve practice and generate better outcomes for victims, offenders and society.

An evaluation of community pharmacists' perception of e-cigarette: An English cross-sectional survey with geospatial analysis.

We wanted to establish prevalence of e-cigarette sale via Englishcommunity pharmacies. A cross-sectional survey of 500 retail-pharmacies was completed.Seventeen out of the 66respondents sold e-cigarettes, indicating a sales-prevalence of 25.76%. NRTwas widely available for sale (n=16, 94.1%), cessation services were lessfrequently available (n=7, 41.2%), or not available (n=9, 52.9%). ‘Dailysmokers’ were likely to use e-cigarette (n=8, 47.1%). Accessories were sold to0-2 people (n=13, 76.5%), χ² p=2.454 x 10-4. Young women purchasede-cigarettes (n=4, 23.5%), p=0.049, which were placed on top of the counter (n=7,41.2%), reflecting ‘impulse sales’ strategy. NRT was available forself-selection (n=14, 82.4%) (p=0.004), however staff-assistance was required(n=12, 70.6%), posing barriers. Costs for e-cigarette (£10.99-£29.99) versusNRT (£4.25-£35.99) represents value for money. Labelling and packaging werefound to be attractive, p=0.049, fashionable, colourful p=0.049, healthy,potentially breaching laws. All respondents provided NRT counselling, p<1x10-8.Less than half (n=8, 47.1%) provide e-cigarette’s counselling, while a majority(n=9, 52.9%) did not. Eight respondents describe 22 flavours, providing goodmouth feel. Aggregate ‘deprived’ versus ‘affluent’ analysis revels interestinginsights. We find some support of non-smokers initiating use. Pharmacists help patientsbut have limited support. We make recommendations to improve practice.

An analysis of inspection in probation and its impact on practitioners, practice and providers

This article analyses the impact of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation on practice, providers and practitioners. Since 1936 HMI Probation has aimed to improve practice through independently inspecting probation services. However, no research has looked at its impact on those it inspects. This is important not only because the evidence on whether inspection improves delivery in other sectors is weak but also because oversight has the potential to create accountability overload. Following a brief overview of the history, aims and policy context for probation inspection the article presents data from interviews with 77 participants from across the field of probation. Overall, participants were positive about inspection and the Inspectorate. However, the data suggest that inspection places a considerable operational burden on staff and organisations and has real emotional consequences for practitioners. Staff experience case interviews as places for reflection and validation but there is less evidence of the direct impact of inspection on practice. Ultimately, the article argues that inspection can monitor practice whilst also contributing to improving practice and providing staff with a way to reflect on their work, yet this balance is difficult strike. Finally, the article considers the implications of these findings for the Inspectorate and the probation service.

ISSUES OF IMPROVING PROSECUTOR'S SUPERVISION IN INVESTIGATING CRIMES REGARDING THE LEGALIZATION OF PROFITS OBTAINED FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

This article analyzes the concept of legalization, its forms, issues of improving prosecutorial supervision over the investigation of crimes related to money laundering. The issues of ratification of some decisions and recommendations of the FATF were also considered. At the same time, the experience of some foreign countries was studied and recommendations were given on the implementation of certain aspects of the obligations of foreign countries in national legislation. In addition, it is recommended to include alternative types of punishment in the sanction of Article 243 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Also, based on the results of the study, it was proposed, in order to improve practice, to create an Institute for Financial Investigations in the Republic of Uzbekistan. As a result, theoretical proposals and recommendations were developed regarding the process of a parallel financial investigation carried out simultaneously or as part of the initial investigation