Laurence Koffman

Holding Parents to Account: Tough on Children, Tough on the Causes of Children?

This paper examines the intellectual basis for New Labours policy of holding parents to account for the misconduct of their children. It argues that the government has relied too heavily on an ill-defined conception of responsibility, whilst failing to address the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour. By way of illustration, the governments strategy is considered in the light of the authors empirical study of anti-social behaviour measures and their impact on families in a disadvantaged area.

Determining the impact of intoxication in a desert-based sentencing framework

Research has consistently found a significant correlation between alcohol consumption and offending. Although this finding does not prove any direct causal link, many offenders subsequently claim that the fact that they had been drinking should mitigate their sentence. As the argument advanced by offenders is framed in retributive terms—culpability is reduced because of intoxication—this article aims to analyse the impact, if any, that intoxication should have under a desert model.