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This study contributes to the evidence base of police deferred prosecution schemes aimed at reducing reoffending. Durham Constabulary, UK, introduced Checkpoint, an adult deferred prosecution scheme which targets offenders entering the Criminal Justice System by providing an alternative to a criminal prosecution. Applying theories of deterrence and desistance, this paper describes the randomised control trial findings of 521 offenders randomised between 1 August 2016 and 31 March 2018. The results indicate that the Checkpoint treatment cohort achieved a lower reoffending rate in comparison to the control cohort, on the basis of prevalence (10.3% reduction) and risk of reoffending (30% reduction). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops an evidence base for the use of deferred prosecution schemes within a police setting. Checkpoint is a voluntary adult offender deferred prosecution scheme operating in Durham Constabulary, UK. Checkpoint targets low-level offenders entering the Criminal Justice System by providing an alternative to a criminal prosecution. It offers a tailored, 4-month programme agreed through a contract. The scheme targets the reasons why offenders commit crime by assessing their individual needs in order to provide interventions. Applying theories of deterrence and desistance, we describe the process of the Checkpoint intervention and the implementation findings of the 519 offenders in the programme. The results indicate that the Checkpoint Implementation phase cohort achieved a lower re-arrest and reoffending rate in comparison to a typical Durham Out Of Court Disposal sample, at reduced harm and cost. The initial conclusions presented here establish the foundations for further research in this policy area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study employing nudge psychology to reduce burglary of properties in the twelve most victimised streets in the UK City of Durham. A bespoke survey was developed first, to raise residents' awareness of the high burglary rate, and second, to nudge them into reflecting on their burglary prevention behaviour. The findings showed that a majority of residents were not previously aware that they were residing on one of 12 most burgled streets in the City of Durham and that they stated that they would adopt more security conscious burglary prevention behaviours as a consequence of taking part in the survey. Fewer burglaries were recorded in the 12 streets for the period during and soon after administration of the survey, compared with police recorded burglaries for the same 12 streets for the same period of months in the 2 years previously. Although the limitations of the present paper are readily acknowledged, as police reported no other burglary-related interventions (including targeted 'burglar operations') in the period in question, it is tentatively suggested that the administration of the survey had indeed produced a positive 'nudge effect' on residents' burglary prevention behaviours. The paper concludes with some suggestions for how police might use the data gathered from this approach to develop future burglary prevention initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology as a Policing Enabler - Utilizing SentrySIS to Improve Police Efficiency and Effectiveness. [Extracted from the article]

This report presents the preliminary findings of a pilot study to reduce thefts from cars committed against insecure vehicles, using the behavioural insights or ‘nudge approach’. The recipients of the ‘nudges’ were potential victims of theft from insecure vehicles living in high rate areas for this crime, where a bespoke leaflet campaign was developed to nudge vehicle owners into thinking more carefully when leaving their vehicles unattended, particularly when left on their driveways overnight. Although somewhat tentative at this stage, the preliminary findings indicate that the percentage of thefts committed against insecure vehicles in the two treatment areas was reduced significantly when compared with the two control group areas where no nudge interventions were introduced. This demonstrates that if appropriate nudges (grounded in psychological theory) are coupled with and delivered by appropriate messengers, the prosocial behavioural change can be encouraged which can lead to a reduction in criminal behaviour and opportunities for crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the first two years of implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) core child nutrition programs—the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. As child nutrition professionals work toward compliance with these new guidelines, they are engaging in ongoing discussions on the USDA’s Mealtalk listserv. The purpose of this study was to identify critical themes emerging from these discussions. This study takes a stakeholder perspective and evaluates Mealtalk discussions from the points-of-view of the organization (schools), foodservice unit, and customers (students). Study results show the most frequently cited themes and child nutrition professionals’ efforts to overcome initial challenges and obstacles in implementing the new guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]