David Smith

Peter Raynor

Ali Wardak

Sam Lewis

The issue of minority ethnic groups' experiences of the criminal justice process, and in particular whether they are subject to disadvantageous treatment, has received much attention in recent years following high-profile events such as the publication of the Macpherson report in 1999 and the riots involving British-born Asian youths in northern towns in 2001. At the same time there has been a burgeoning body of research evidence about the needs and experiences of minority ethnic offenders, the behaviour of racially motivated offenders, and concern with 'What Works' to reduce recidivism by members of both groups. This book reviews this field, drawing upon the largest study of minority ethnic probationers ever conducted in Europe, and seeks to understand the 'stark contrast between the experience of white and black minority ethnicpeople in some areas of the criminal justice system'. Part 1 of the book sets out the context of recent policy, research and practice initiatives; Part 2 focuses on the needs and experiences of minority ethnic offenders; Part 3 discusses aspects of recent practice and policy; Part 4 reviews conclusions and the way forward. Race and Probation also contributes to the wider debate about race and crime. The lessons learned will be of key importance as new arrangements linked to NOMS (National Offender Management Service) come in to place. It will be essential reading forprobation trainees and students of criminal justice, for probation practitioners and managers, and for academics and researchers in the field.

Race and Probation

Fergus McNeill

Chris Trotter

This major new book brings together leading researchers in the field in order to describe and analyse internationally significant theoretical and empirical work on offender supervision, and to address the policy and practice implications of this work within and across jurisdictions. Arising out of the work of the international Collaboration of Researchers for the Effective Development of Offender Supervision (CREDOS), this book examines questions and issues that have arisen both within effectiveness research, and from research on desistance from offending. The book draws out the lessons that can be learned not just about ‘what works?’, but about how and why particular practices support desistance in specific jurisdictional, cultural and local contexts. Key themes addressed in this book include: New directions in theory and paradigms for practice Staff skills and effective offender supervision Different issues and challenges in improving offender supervision The role of families, ‘significant others’ and social networks Understanding and supporting compliance within supervision Exploring the social, political, organisational and historical contexts of offender supervision Offender Supervision will be essential reading for academics, undergraduate and postgraduate students, policy makers, managers and practitioners interested in offender supervision.

New Directions in Theory, Research and Practice

Offender Supervision

Helen Miles

Recent years have seen the development of a growing international literature on restorative justice, community justice and reintegrative alternatives to formal criminal justice processes. This literature is stronger on theory and advocacy than on detailed evaluative studies. It often relies for its practical examples on the presumed historical practices of the indigenous peoples of colonised territories, or on attempts to revive or promote modified versions of these in a modern context, which has led to debates about how far modern communities can provide a viable setting for such initiatives. This book provides a unique study of the practice of traditional reintegrative community justice in a European society: the Parish Hall Enquiry (PHE) in the Channel Island of Jersey. This is an ancient institution, based on an informal hearing and discussion of a reported offence with the alleged offender and other interested parties, carried out by centeniers (honorary police officers elected to one of Jersey's twelve parishes). It is still in regular use as an integral part of a modern criminal justice system, and it usually aims to resolve offences without recourse to formal prosecution in court. Helen Miles and Peter Raynor's research, arising from direct observation, contributes to the literature on 'what works' in resolving conflicts and influencing offenders, and their detailed case studies of how problems are addressed gives a 'hands on' flavour of the process. The authors also document the aspects of community life in Jersey that facilitate or hinder the continuation of the PHEs, drawing out the implications of these findings for wider debates about the necessary and sufficient social conditions for reintegrative justice to succeed.

The Informal Management of Crime in an Island Community

Reintegrative Justice in Practice

Gill McIvor

Explains the organisational and legislative changes that have occurred in social work and probation across the UK in the past 10 years.

Peter Raynor

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