What if? A series of challenging pamphlets
What is 'What if...'
The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Mannheim Centre at the London School of Economics are working in partnership to establish a new pamphlet series that challenges conventional thinking on penal issues. We will work with established and well thought of thinkers, academics and practitioners to develop innovative, and perhaps controversial, ideas that can work as a stimulus to new policy initiatives and ultimately achieve change.
The second What if …? The role of the magistracy
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League is to be author of the second pamphlet in the series. The seminar which started to explore the role of the magistracy had a working title of 'Community magistrates delivering community justice'. It was held on Monday 26 March 2012, 6pm at the London School of Economics.
Frances Crook’s ideas were put to the test by our three discussants:
- John Fassenfelt JP – Chair of the Magistrates’ Association
- Professor Barry Godfrey – Liverpool University
- Professor Julian Roberts – Oxford University
The seminar was chaired by Professor Frances Heidensohn from the Mannheim Centre at the LSE.
How it works
We are keen to test, challenge and improve the initial ideas to be promulgated in the pamphlet. To achieve this, the author will subject their ideas to ‘peer review’ at an invitee seminar, with the ideas initially subject to scrutiny from one or two discussants and then from the invited audience.
Following the seminar the author will be invited to prepare the paper for publication.
Future What if…?
The Howard League and the Mannheim Centre are committed to generating two or three pamphlets each academic year. Although we have many ideas about issues we would like to address, we are keen to hear your ideas about issues that you would like to see on our agenda.
If you have any ideas please email Anita Dockley, Research Director.
