An evaluation of a project to improve public confidence in the criminal justice system
Published on: 10 September 2008
This report summarises the results of an experiment (using a randomised controlled trialled methodology) designed to test the impact of providing information to the public upon confidence in the criminal justice system.
The experiment involved giving a booklet to over 2,000 members of the public in three different ways, and testing their knowledge and attitudes before and after the booklet was received. The results were compared with a control group not given the booklet.
The research provides evidence that the effective presentation of national and local crime statistics, and other information about the criminal justice system, can have a positive impact on public confidence. The work will provide a valuable approach for Local Criminal Justice Boards to target provision of information to the public, as part of their community engagement programmes.
- Inform, persuade and remind [PDF 1.62mb, 65 pages]