Exploring modern probation
Social theory and organisational complexity
Published on 2. June 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-1-84742-348-1 (ISBN)
Description
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 text will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of probation, criminology, criminal and social justice and allied disciplines.
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 text will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of probation, criminology, criminal and social justice and allied disciplines.
Reviews / Votes
"...is a meticulous, succinct and extremely well written analysis of the probation services in the United Kingdom..." European Journal of ProbationMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 172 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84742-348-1 (9781847423481)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Philip Whitehead is Reader in Criminal and Social Justice at Teesside University. Previously he worked for the Probation Service for 26 years and held numerous positions including Research and Information Officer. Since the 1980s he has researched various aspects of probation and latterly the impact of modernisation and cultural change on criminal and social justice. He is the author of seven books and numerous articles.
Content
Contents: Introduction; Part one: Excavating and explaining: what has become of probation?: Bodies of social theory: the big guys; Religious, humanitarian and personalist impulses: the good guys; Social theory and excavating probation; Part two: Critique and challenge: what should probation be?: Views of probation and NOMS practitioners; Views of solicitors, clerks, magistrates, barristers, judges: empirical research findings; Conclusion.