Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Kevin J Brown
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
This article examines the use of acceptable behavioural contracts as a tool for engendering the voluntary acceptance of responsibility in children and young people perceived to be engaging in anti-social behaviour and low-level criminality. Based on the results of a qualitative empirical analysis with local government and social housing anti-social behaviour teams, the article explores the attitudes of practitioners to the use of this unregulated but commonly utilised intervention. Practitioners' views are contrasted with the ideals of voluntary responsibilisation upon which the contracts are supposedly based. It is argued that there is a spectrum of differing approaches among practitioners, with some using the contracts more to encourage the voluntary acceptance of responsibility, whilst others use them more coercively to hold individuals responsible for their behaviour. The implications of these differing approaches are examined.
Author(s): Brown KJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: The Journal of Criminal Law
Year: 2012
Volume: 76
Issue: 1
Pages: 53-70
Print publication date: 01/01/2012
ISSN (print): 0022-0183
ISSN (electronic): 1740-5580
Publisher: Vathek Publishing
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1350/jcla.2012.76.1.750
DOI: 10.1350/jcla.2012.76.1.750
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric