From Cincinnati to Glasgow: a case study of international policy transfer of a violence reduction program

It has been acknowledged that there is growing interest in criminal justice policy transfer and also a dearth of empirical research in this area. This chapter seeks to address this gap by discussing the results of doctoral research conducted on a case of policy transfer of a criminal justice program. This focuses on group/gang violence reduction, from America to Scotland, in particular from Cincinnati to Glasgow. Policy transfer models were used to develop, frame, and conduct the analysis of what was considered a ‘successful’ program transfer. However, it was found that no single model could fully account conceptually for a key finding of the research, namely, a policy transfer ‘backflow.' This chapter details the key processes, mechanisms, and outcomes of the policy transfer and in doing so, reflects on the usefulness of orthodox and non-orthodox/social constructionist policy transfer approaches in understanding the outcomes of this case of criminal justice program transfer. This chapter discusses in detail the issues relating to gang violence in Glasgow and the reasons why a new approach to deal with such. It also discusses the similarities that existed in both cities, for example, similar socio-economic and drug-related violence issues. The processes of transfer are discussed and the acknowledgment that in order for a ‘successful’ transfer to take place certain adaptations must take place.