This book is a collection of essays by a unique group of authors about the political destruction of the probation service in England and Wales. All of them are probation officers turned academics, with a collective scholarly output that is both prodigious and distinguished. They address the history of probation, its underlying values and working methods, and the way it has been systematically dismantled by successive political administrations. The book offers essential reading for those interested in broadening their understanding of the probation service and its vital role in rehabilitation. In addition it makes a compelling case for the reinstatement of an evidence-based probation service as the primary criminal justice agency concerned with helping people who come before the courts to become contributing citizens. A lively and engrossing read, it is destined to be invaluable to policy makers, social science theorists and commentators, as well as scholars of criminology and the justice system, and all those who work in it.

Offers an academic perspective on the positive contribution of probation to the criminal justice system Exposes the destruction of the contribution of probation by successive governments Provides a critical approach to understanding probation and rehabilitation

Autorentext

Maurice Vanstone worked in the probation service for 27 years and is currently Emeritus Professor of Criminology at Swansea University, Wales. His research and writing has focused mainly on probation-related topics, in particular, the effectiveness of community sentences, and the history of probation.
Philip Priestley has been a probation officer and academic. He helped pioneer services to victims, mediation, and probation day-centres as alternatives to prison. Has written on prison history, and developed cognitive-behavioural programmes, shown to reduce re-offending by up to 25%; which have been used in five countries.

Klappentext
Shadd Maruna, Dean of Law, Rutgers University.

' Important work. Fascinating idea for a book of essays. Great read. '

Nick Cohen, The Observer.

' Level-headed account of the ruin of a vital public service. The writers' cool contempt and determination to be accurate make it all the more damning. '

Martine Herzog-Evans, University of Reims, Law Faculty

' Very original collection. Raises essential questions - informative, enjoyable read. ' This book provides a rigorous examination into the causes and effects of the abolishment of probation within the justice system. Addressing a wide range of subjects, such as current and historical perceptions of probation, the political factors which brought about its diminishment, and the effects of its dissolution, this study offers essential reading for those interested in broadening their understanding of the probation service and its vital role in rehabilitation. In addition, the combined contributions provide a compelling case for the reinstatement of an evidence-based probation service as the primary criminal justice agency concerned with helping to rehabilitate those people who come before the courts. Written by a broad range of experts, this book is a lively and engrossing read, destined to be invaluable to policy makers, social science theorists and commentators, as well as scholars of criminology and the justice system.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. Women and Probation.-

Chapter 2. Where Did It All Go Wrong? .-

Chapter 3. Social Justice, Human Rights and the Values of Probation .-

Chapter 4. Values in Probation With People Who Commit Sex Crimes.-

Chapter 5. What Probation Has Been and What It Could Become.-

Chapter 6. Probation.-

Chapter 7. Bridging and Broking.-

Chapter 8. Probation, Privatisation, and Perceptions of Risk.-

Chapter 9. The Nature of Probation Practice.-

Chapter 10. The Rise of Risk in Probation Work.- Chapter 11. Alarms & Excursions.- Chapter 12. Effective Probation in England and Wales? .-

Chapter 13. Forty Years and Counting.-

Chapter 14. Probation.-

Chapter 15. A Future for Evidence-based Do-gooding? .- Chapter 16. Probation Duty and the Re-moralisation of Criminal Justice .- Chapter 17. Probation in the Genes?