Reimagining Probation Practice: Re-Forming Rehabilitation in an Age of Penal Excess

This book provides a comprehensive and positive reimagining of probation practice in England and Wales across all the key settings in which work with people subject to supervision takes place. Bringing together chapters co-authored by academics and practitioners, it offers an overall conceptualisation of the rehabilitative endeavour within the realities of a probation service recently unified after the acknowledged failure of the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms.

Reimagining Probation Practice covers the main themes and job functions of probation practice, from court work to individual and group interventions, to resettlement and public protection, to partnerships, to education and training. Each chapter includes a brief critical history of the area of practice, the current policy context, the applicability of different forms of rehabilitation (personal, legal/judicial, social and moral) to this area of practice, an overview of current good practice and areas in need of development. The book argues that the principles of parsimony, proportionality and productiveness should be applied to the criminal justice system in its work to rehabilitate individuals.

This book is essential reading for practitioners and all those engaged in probation training, as well as policy makers, leaders, managers and those interested in social and criminal justice.

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Lol Burke is professor in criminal justice at Liverpool John Moores University and specialises in the areas of probation research, policy and practice.

Nicola Carr is the editor of the Probation Journal and a Professor of criminology at the University of Nottingham.

Emma Cluley is a probation officer of 22 years standing with Greater Manchester and currently specialises in responding to personality difficulties. She is a clinical lead in a therapeutic community in Greater Manchester Mental Health Service (NHS).

Stephen Collett is a retired chief probation officer. He holds honorary positions at the universities of Liverpool and Manchester and is an adjunct professor at Liverpool John Moores University and an honorary fellow of the university.

Fergus McNeill is professor of criminology and social work at the University of Glasgow where he works in the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research and in Sociology.