Introducing the 5Is framework

Abstract

This chapter gives an initial view of the 5Is framework. After an account of the historical background to its development over some two decades involving experience from the UK, the wider European scene and North America, 5Is is introduced. Then some major foundations are set out. The central purpose of 5Is is described in relation to three main groups of users — practitioners, delivery managers and policy makers. Moving from function to structure, the essential features and descriptive conventions of 5Is are stated in ways consistent with the Specification in Chapter 6. (Given that this is an introductory chapter, some features of 5Is will be presented as assertions, whose rationale will be explained subsequently.) Where appropriate, these features are contrasted with those of alternative frameworks. Foundation work continues in the next two chapters which flesh out the central 5Is process model with conceptual and institutional definitions, and with a specific, inclusive and integrated approach to the causes of crime and mechanisms of intervention. Detailed exposition of each of the Is is introduced in Chapter 10 and the Is themselves are presented in Chapters 11–15.