Northern Ireland to Publish Mugshots to Deter Future Crime
Critically Low Funding Threatens Public Safety
Northern Ireland’s police force, the PSNI, plans to start releasing photographs of convicted criminals in hopes of deterring future crimes. The move follows the publication of mugshots after rioting in Belfast over summer, a tactic Chief Constable Jon Boutcher wants to make standard practice.
“I have a very clear plan next year – we have to cross all the t’s and dot the i’s, but – to publish convective photographs of people who committed these heinous crimes and their sentences as a deterrent. To actually show that if you commit these crimes, we will arrest you, we will prosecute you, we will convict you, and we will make it clear that you committed these crimes.
“We took something of that approach with regards to the rioting that occurred in the summer, and by putting images out of those who are suspected of those offenses.”
The release of images closely mirrors practices in place throughout the rest of the United Kingdom. While the PSNI supports transparency, due to a slower justice process in Northern Ireland compared to England and Wales, implementation has been delayed.
However, even if enacted, this new policy is exposed to the PSNI’s dire financial situation. Warranting “dangerously low,” the police force struggles to fulfill its core obligation of protecting the public. Ceremonies, community engagement initiatives, and non-emergency operational activities, take a back seat to less predictive, more reactive policing.
While crime rates in Northern Ireland are slightly lower than in England and Wales, organizational demand remains high, with a focus shifting toward responding to worse mental health crises.
“We now have levels of demand regarding calls for concern and mental health-related issues that quite simply overwhelm us,” Boutcher stated before adding a stark warning. “I wish to be crystal clear that with our dangerously low resources, this means that people will come to harm who otherwise would not. We will not be able to fully prevent people from getting involved in criminal activity because we have a lack of police officers in our communities.”
Boutcher voiced those who suffer backups are women, girls and victims of hate crimes.
“I’m incredibly concerned about those serious, high harm offenses, some of which have been reported in the media.”
Part of this increased vulnerability is directly tied to budget concerns, a fact Boutcher alternates expressing.
“Unless we are funded properly, communities will be less safe, and we will not be able to target fully those high harm crimes that change people’s lives forever, such as violence against women and girls and hate crime.”
Funding: A Cycle of Uncertainty
The PSNI received £36.7 million in funding from the Justice Minister Naomi Long; a welcome relief for immediate concerns, providing enough for this year’s officer pay. Longer term, however, the struggle remains. Already, the PSNI projects a future funding gap of over £100 million beginning next year.
“A future budget that accounts for these pressures will provide us with financial stability and end the cycle of uncertainty that comes with having to rely on in-year funding.”
Boutcher expresses confidence in tackling the ongoing difficulties in 2024, including ensuring adequate funding remains a priority. He acknowledged the pressures staff have faced,work, and promised better recruitment for the PSNI in the next year.
“This provides us with the ability to balance the books for at least this year, I’m particularly pleased that this announcement will enable us to progress on this year’s
What are the potential social and legal implications of publishing mugshots of convicted criminals in Northern Ireland?
## Interview: Northern Ireland’s Proposed Mugshot Policy
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussed a controversial new proposal from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the PSNI. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher wants to start releasing mugshots of convicted criminals, a move he believes will deter future crime. Joining me today to discuss this issue is Professor Sarah Jones, a criminologist and policing expert. Professor Jones, thanks for joining us.
**Professor Jones:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, Professor Jones, what are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you think publishing mugshots will actually deter crime?
**Professor Jones:** That’s a complex question. While there’s some evidence suggesting that public shaming tactics can have a deterrent effect in certain contexts, it’s not clear-cut. Research on the effectiveness of publishing mugshots specifically is mixed. There are concerns that it could lead to vigilantism, unfairly stigmatize individuals, and disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
**Host:** The PSNI cites the practice in England and Wales as a model. What are the differences in context here?
**Professor Jones:** There are some key differences. Firstly, the justice system in Northern Ireland procedurally moves slower than in England and Wales. This means releasing mugshots before a conviction could potentially prejudice a jury and violate the presumption of innocence. Secondly, Northern Ireland has a history of sectarian tensions. Releasing mugshots without careful consideration could exacerbate these tensions and inflame existing divisions.
**Host:** Chief Constable Boutcher also points to critically low funding as a major challenge for the PSNI. Do you think this affects the feasibility of this proposal?
**Professor Jones:** Absolutely. The PSNI is already facing significant resource constraints, struggling to maintain core policing functions. Implementing a new policy like this would require significant additional resources for staff training, legal review, and data management. It’s crucial to consider the opportunity cost - whether these resources could be better deployed elsewhere to address more pressing needs.
**Host:** So, in your expert opinion, is this the right move for Northern Ireland at this time?
**Professor Jones:** It’s a complex issue with no easy answers. While the PSNI’s intention to deter crime is understandable, I have serious concerns about the potential negative consequences of this proposal. They need to carefully consider the potential impact on civil liberties, the risk of exacerbating social divisions, and the strain on already stretched resources.
**Host:** Professor Jones, thank you for sharing your insights on this important issue.
**Professor Jones:** My pleasure.
