Antisocial studies: civil rights in Britain.

• Author: Howley, Kerry
• Position: Citings - Brief article

IN 1998 PRIME Minister Tony Blair added the word ASBO to the British lexicon. Short for "Antisocial Behavior Order," an ASBO is a civil order that allows a judge to bar a particular individual from engaging in otherwise lawful behavior. Local authorities can slap an order on anyone over age 10 who has behaved antisocially--defined by law as activity that "causes or is likely to have caused harassment or alarm or distress."

ASBOs typically ban targeted teenagers from entering certain areas or assembling with friends. According to AsboConcern, a coalition that lobbies against the orders, individuals have been banned from riding bikes, feeding birds, being sarcastic, and wearing only underwear in front of a window.

In November, the government's Youth Justice Board released a comprehensive study on ASBOs' efficacy. Researchers found that 49 percent of the minors who received the orders violated them and ended up back in court...