I write about public policy and public services, mainly in criminal justice, and with a specific interest in contracting, outsourcing and competition, developing themes from my book, 'Competition in prisons'.  I am especially interested in the use or abuse of evidence in the formation and discussion of public policy.

I welcome corrections, criticism, suggestions and particularly, relevant information I haven't spotted.

The blog title is borrowed from John Adams, Founding Father and Second President of the USA, ever an independent thinker.