In this introductory chapter we provide an overview of criminological research into intergenerational transmission of criminal behaviour that currently is, and has been, conducted both internationally and in the Netherlands. The most important findings of these studies are also discussed. Next, possible explanations are discussed for intergenerational transmission of crime in general, and more particularly for families that are involved in more serious and organized crime. Moreover, possible ways in which intergenerational transmission of crime can be prevented are discussed. Finally, we give some directions for future research on this topic and will introduce the contributions to this special issue.

This article presents and critically discusses a new Recommendation on restorative justice (CM/Rec(2018)8) that was adopted on 3 October 2018 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. This new regulation builds on the previous Recommendation No. R(99)19 on mediation in penal matters and recommends the governments of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe the adopt and implement the principles of restorative justice as described in the Appendix of the new Recommendation. These guidelines apply to national authorities and national agencies in general, and to judges, public prosecutors, police, prisons, probation, juvenile justice agencies, victim support services and restorative justice services in particular. The article presents the origins of the Recommendation, its contents and its meaning for restorative justice developments in Europe and beyond.

This article is based on research into the use of mediation in criminal cases at ZSM Midden-Nederland. It focusses on the question how referrals to mediation can be optimized. The research shows that there is much room for improvement and a broader deployment of mediation. Lack of knowledge of the criminal justice partners involved, leads to misconceptions about the mediation process, about which institution should be deployed, and about the (in)suitability of cases for mediation. This lack of knowledge seems to be greatest among the police, while they play an important role within ZSM. Moreover, Victim Support Netherlands has a dominant role in the choice whether or not to refer to mediation. The overall conclusion is that mediation is not yet sufficiently anchored in the criminal justice partners’ system.

How does the police deal with conflict resolution and (referrals to) mediation? Is this perceived as relevant within the new national police organization? This article elaborates on work processes within the National Police, including ZSM-settlements, the punitive aspects of police culture and the impoverishment of neighborhood-oriented police work. It is concluded that there is little room within the police for responsive approaches to crime and social unsafety. However, there are still police professionals who question ‘assembly line’-processing of criminal cases, support restorative justice strategies and try to improve the citizen-empowerment in neighbourhoods.

This article addresses the role of parents and girlfriends in the process of giving up crime. It presents findings from a longitudinal study of 81 young recidivists examined over 15 years. It concludes that parents played a pivotal role in this process, since the young men began to realize what misery they had caused them. However, these young men did not change their path in life because of their parents. We conclude even stronger than with the parents that it does not seem likely that a young recidivist would desist because of his girlfriend. Nevertheless, it would seem that both parents and a secure, lasting relationship could indeed have a positive influence in this process, particularly in the motivation to stick to a new path towards a more pro-social lifestyle once it has been set out on.

In this article, a substance use management program is presented that is applicable to clients who lack any realistic prognosis of reaching any form of sustainable abstinence. The aim of this program is to optimize the client’s quality of life and safety, and to reduce the risk of criminal behavior. The concept of directed substance use is introduced and explained. Practical guidelines as to how directed substance use should be practiced are provided.

In 2016 an independent review into a deadly ex-partner stalking case¹xEenhoorn Commission. (2016). Conclusies en aanbevelingen: Onderzoeksrapport TweeSteden. identified a number of structural problems in the police’s approach to stalking cases. Police struggle to accurately and effectively assess and respond to stalking cases because of several reasons. Police often fail to identify stalking by focusing too much on single incidents, missing the pattern of behaviours that constitute stalking. Investigations also focus on the criminal offence of stalking, with police waiting to take action until a particular threshold is reached. There is a lack of knowledge about stalking in general and risk factors associated with stalking in particular, which means the victim’s safety can be at stake if adequate security measures are not taken. These findings led to the development of a new structured response to ex-partner stalking cases, which consists of an automated query, case screening and prioritisation with the SASH²xMcEwan, T. E., Strand, S., MacKenzie, R. D., & James, D. V. (2015). Screening Assessment for Stalking and Harassment (SASH)., case management together with partner agencies and improved training for police officers who are handling stalking cases. Victim safety must always be the first priority.

Noten

• * Bianca Voerman en Cleo Brandt zijn beiden recherchepsycholoog bij de Landelijke Eenheid van de Nationale Politie.

• 1 Eenhoorn Commission. (2016). Conclusies en aanbevelingen: Onderzoeksrapport TweeSteden.

• 2 McEwan, T. E., Strand, S., MacKenzie, R. D., & James, D. V. (2015). Screening Assessment for Stalking and Harassment (SASH).

While media coverage supports citizens in exercising their democratic rights, developments in the media have turned organizations into glass houses. In this article we investigate what media attention and subsequent public reactions after incidents mean for social professionals who work with the so-called ‘hard-to- reach’. We draw on a practical example, literature and interviews. Media attention turns out to affect the public image of organizations and professionals and consecutively alters the long term public judgment. This results in professionals feeling powerless, unrecognized and pressurized. Professionals adopt different strategies to deal with the effects of media attention: resignation, defensiveness, caution and organizational blame.