Measuring Justice: New report published today

How just is justice? This is the question explored in a report published today by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR).

The Measuring Justice: Defining Concepts, Delivering Practice report documents how experiences of justice are measured in Scotland with researchers focusing on procedural justice and person-centred support as important frames for designing justice practices in Scotland.

Their assessment of 50 studies measuring justice through the experiences of victims, witnesses, accused and convicted people, professionals and the public found more than a dozen concepts of justice being used.

The report contains chapters on conceptualising, experiencing and measuring justice, offering practical advice and assessment. The work was funded by the Scottish Government through the Justice Analytical Services ‘experiences of justice’ grant call.

Overall, the researchers found that a holistic sense of justice flows from the presence of these factors: accurate and timely information; caring interpersonal dynamics; having a voice/feeling heard; opportunities of participation; professionalism; inclusivity and equality; respect for rights; outcomes; and supporting a wider (societal) justice.

The Scottish Government funded project was carried out by Sarah Armstrong (University of Glasgow), Beth Weaver (University of Strathclyde), Trish McCulloch (University of Dundee) and Dominic Reed (University of Glasgow).

You can access the report here Measuring Justice: Defining Concepts, Developing Practice – SCCJR