Synopses & Reviews
Since 1997 the probation service, an integral component of criminal justice for over 100 years, has been subject to a politically-driven process of modernisation and cultural transformation. This innovative book explores this probation modernisation by using social theories associated with Durkheim, Weber, Marx and Foucault. The book combines this theoretical analysis with empirical research from interviews, which highlights challenges to, as well as support of, the politics of modernisation. This research is unique in providing insights into what representatives of other organisations think about probation - from the outside looking in.This up-to-date text will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of probation, criminology, criminal and social justice and allied disciplines.
Review
During the past twenty years or so through a process involving missed opportunities, misguided policies and political posturing successive governments have almost squeezed the humanitarian life out of the Probation Service: it lingers still. Although, Philip Whitehead argues in this book that the humanitarian role of the Service will not survive, those of us who disagree know that if it is to survive in some form that benefits society by contributing to the rehabilitation of those people who offend, a thorough and critical understanding of that process is crucial. No-one is better qualified to deliver that understanding than Philip Whitehead. Not only has he worked within the Service throughout this period but he has shown in his many publications an acute understanding of the history of probation. This book promises to be both the definitive account of its recent past and the critically challenging one that is needed. Maurice Vanstone, Emeritus Professor of Criminology, Swansea University
Review
This deeply erudite book blends social theory with the all too often self-contained 'probation in crisis' literature. It has a sharper, darker take on what has gone wrong with a service that, twenty years ago, had a lot going for it, could have modernised itself in far better ways - and still could, if the lessons of Exploring modern probation are taken to heart. Mike Nellis, Glasgow School of Social Work, University of Strathclyde
Review
...is a meticulous, succinct and extremely well written analysis of the probation services in the United Kingdom... European Journal of Probation
Synopsis
Since 1997, the UK's probation service, an integral component of criminal justice for over 100 years, has been subject to a politically driven process of modernization and cultural transformation. This innovative book explains the context and background of today's probation service. Combining theoretical analysis and empirical research, the book explores probation modernization by using social theories associated with Durkheim, Weber, Marx, and Foucault. It also provides insight into what representatives of other organizations think about probation, from the outside looking in. The book's research and analysis will be of benefit to probation services internationally.
Synopsis
This timely textbook explores probation modernisation by using social theories associated with Durkheim, Weber, Marx and Foucault and unique empirical research from interviews.
About the Author
Philip Whitehead, Reader in Criminal and Social Justice, Teesside University.