Richard Garside

Richard Garside is the director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and senior visiting research fellow at The Open University.

Do more police mean less crime?

Labour and the Liberal Democrats are both pledging an increase in police officer numbers. Are these plans a welcome investment or a symbolic bit of electioneering?

By Richard Garside

/ 30 May 2017

This market isn't working. UK government contractors exploit secrecy and weak competition

The government keeps taxpayers in the dark about billions paid to private contractors. A Parliamentary watchdog demands transparency and proof that competition exists.

By Richard Garside

/ 17 Mar 2014

Resist government’s obsession with men in uniform

The United Kingdom’s over-reliance on policing, prosecution and punishment is socially harmful and economically wasteful. There are more just and effective ways to make us safer.

By Richard Garside

/ 30 Jan 2014

G4S and Serco overcharging scandal just got worse

Two outsourcing giants who tagged and monitored ex-offenders charged British taxpayers tens of millions of pounds for doing nothing. A new report reveals flagrant and systematic abuses, ahead of executives' interrogation by Members of Parliament today.

By Richard Garside

/ 20 Nov 2013