For well over one hundred years society had considered ways of helping prisoners on their release from prison, but there had been no serious attempt to assess in a scientific manner the value of such efforts. Originally published in 1974, this book broke with this tradition and was the first full-scale work published in this country evaluating carefully whether an active policy of finding suitable employment for men immediately on their release from prison had beneficial results. The first part of the book discusses the historical development of prison after-care from its early origins in the nineteenth century and indicates how, up to the Second World War, the primary object of after-care had been regarded as the reinstatement of the ex-prisoners in employment. Gradually the specific task of finding jobs for ex-prisoners had become a peripheral activity considered as the responsibility of the Department of Employment. The effectiveness of the Department’s pre-release procedure for prisoners is discussed. The rest of the book considers the fascinating Apex project set up to examine the effectiveness of finding work for ex-prisoners. The work of Apex continued to develop and expand, but the present study considers the first five years when over four hundred men were randomly selected from two London prisons and offered the services of a specialist employment agency. The outcome for these men is compared with a control group of over three hundred men randomly selected from the same prisons. This study is concerned with the general run of the prison population and interestingly shows how some prisoners accept and others reject the offer of an employment service. It further indicates the enormous efforts sometimes needed to find suitable employment for prisoners on release. The outcome of the job interviews, arranged in terms of the proportions attending the interviews, starting the jobs and the length of time men stayed in the jobs arranged, is vital reading for anyone involved in after-care. An important part of the work is the examination of the subsequent reconviction rates for the various groups of offenders and the implication that it seems possible to predict men who are unlikely to be helped by the simple provision of employment on release. The final chapter considers critically some of the assumptions upon which the Apex project was based, and the possible use of computer techniques in the individualization of treatment is briefly discussed. The author was particularly well qualified to discuss this subject, for, apart from his work over a number of years with several after-care organizations, the present project involved working in prisons for over three years as well as interviewing and talking to men after their release. The findings of this study will interest the wide variety of people concerned with prison after-care. Criminologists, sociologists, probation officers and all others working in prisons and after-care will recognize the important implications of the material presented in this book.

This is a text for criminology students designed to take them to the heart of the contradictions, confusions and blurred boundaries around the subject of crimeabout what crime is, about social regulation and control, and about social responsibility. It focuses on the key questions and issues underpinning them in contemporary definitions, representations and explanations of crime. It questions the platitudes and clichs surrounding public discussion of crime, by acknowledging the individual, social and political frameworks within which we explore crime and criminality. Questioning Crime and Criminology explores the nature of criminology as a discipline. It assumes that for students to understand crime and criminology they need to understand the wider societal and sociological implications of all crime related phenomena, and not just explore individual, psychological meanings.

This is a text for criminology students designed to take them to the heart of the contradictions, confusions and blurred boundaries around the subject of crimeabout what crime is, about social regulation and control, and about social responsibility. It focuses on the key questions and issues underpinning them in contemporary definitions, representations and explanations of crime. It questions the platitudes and clichs surrounding public discussion of crime, by acknowledging the individual, social and political frameworks within which we explore crime and criminality. Questioning Crime and Criminology explores the nature of criminology as a discipline. It assumes that for students to understand crime and criminology they need to understand the wider societal and sociological implications of all crime related phenomena, and not just explore individual, psychological meanings.

First published in 1991, Sex Crime in the News is a unique examination of the nature of sex crime reporting in the press. Analysing examples from forty years of newspaper coverage, the authors provide a systematic study of this controversial topic. The book reveals the misleading and trivializing nature of sex crime coverage, with serious research reports on rape and discussions on law reform being given short shrift. The authors examine the increasing gap between the reality of sexual abuse and the coverage it receives in the press, and they set their detailed empirical work within a context of broader concerns about the relationship between the media, the individual and the state. Critical though it is of the press, this book will be of special interest to people working in the media, and to legislators involved in debates about the press. It will also be of value to students on course in women's studies, cultural and media studies, and deviancy.

This is a comprehensive reference book on the subject of forensic mental health, looking at what forensic mental health is and its assessment, management and treatment. It focuses on key topics and the issues underpinning them in contemporary society. The book includes: an account of the historical development of forensic mental health, along with a description of the three mental health systems operating in the UK an in-depth analysis of the forensic mental health process and system, including an analysis of the different systems applied for juveniles and adults an examination of the main issues in forensic mental health including sex offending, personality disorders and addiction a breakdown of the key skills needed for forensic mental health practice. This is an authoritative reference book which will be a crucial text for practitioners, academics and students in the forensic mental health field.

This is a comprehensive reference book on the subject of forensic mental health, looking at what forensic mental health is and its assessment, management and treatment. It focuses on key topics and the issues underpinning them in contemporary society.The book includes: an account of the historical development of forensic mental health, along with a description of the three mental health systems operating in the UK; an in-depth analysis of the forensic mental health process and system, including an analysis of the different systems applied for juveniles and adults; an examination of the main issues in forensic mental health including sex offending, personality disorders and addiction; and, a breakdown of the key skills needed for forensic mental health practice.This is an authoritative reference book which will be a crucial text for practitioners, academics and students in the forensic mental health field.

This anthology, selected by Tony Parker shortly before his death in 1996, provides the very essence of his quite distinctive contribution to criminology. In it he speaks intimately to all kinds of people including offenders, inadequates, professional criminals, sex offenders, frauds and false pretence merchants and prisoners on death row. Lyn Smith concludes with some reflections on his methodology.
This collection celebrates an outstanding body of work and provides a fascinating insight into the criminal mind and experience. It will be compelling reading not only for those studying criminology, probation or prison studies, but also for the interested general reader.

An anthology of the work of Tony Parker. Described as the "Mayhew of his times", his work spans the 1960s to the 1990s and he speaks intimately to all kinds of offenders, inadequates, professional criminals, sex offenders, frauds and false pretence merchants. This collection of Tony Parker's work, selected by him shortly before his death in 1996, provides the very essence of his contribution. The introduction by Professor Terence Morris locates Parker within the criminological tradition. There are six major parts to the book: "Inadequates" - the stage army of offenders who keep returning to prison; "Villainy" - a way of life on professional criminals; "Some Answers to a Question What Should a Judge Do With You?"; "Nonces" - on sex offenders; "Frauds and False Merchants"; "At Deaths Door" - those sentenced to death or to life imprisonment for murder. In the final section, some of Tony Parker's prescriptions for interviewing are set out and Lyn Smith concludes with some reflections on his methodology.

"Themes and Perspectives in Nursing" is a reader focusing upon current issues relevant to the rapid changes occurring in nursing education and practice.;The editors have compiled a variety of stimulating, and sometimes controversial, material on a range of topics to encourage enquiry and provoke lively debate. The four sections deal with issues concerning perceptions of nursing, education, clinical issues, and management.;The differing interpretations of the Nightingale legend, the images of nursing displayed in the media, performance indicators and professional accountability, advocacy as a key element in nursing education, and "managing nurse wastage" are just some of the issues covered.;"Themes and Perspectives in Nursing" provides students with material relevant for study at both undergraduate and post basic level. Nurse educators should find it a rich source of data for teaching and research, particularly in the evolving new curriculum for "Project 2000". It is also written for all health professionals who are concerned with the radical changes in health care education, practice and reform.

The study of criminal careers is of increasing interest in criminology. It is now generally recognised that it is important to try to understand criminal behaviour across the life-course rather than focusing on fragmented incidents which provide only a partial picture. This is an accessible text which clarifies the crucial theoretical and methodological debates surrounding the study of criminal careers.

It focuses on some major longitudinal studies discussing the onset, persistence, desistance and the duration of a criminal career. The important topics of prediction, risk and specialisation are addressed. The challenging question of 'When do ex-offenders become like non-offenders?' points a way forward. The book concludes by proposing an even more ambitious approach to the topic of criminal careers.

The study of criminal careers is of increasing interest in criminology. It is now generally recognised that it is important to try to understand criminal behaviour across the life-course rather than focusing on fragmented incidents which provide only a partial picture. This is an accessible text which clarifies the crucial theoretical and methodological debates surrounding the study of criminal careers.

It focuses on some major longitudinal studies discussing the onset, persistence, desistance and the duration of a criminal career. The important topics of prediction, risk and specialisation are addressed. The challenging question of 'When do ex-offenders become like non-offenders?' points a way forward. The book concludes by proposing an even more ambitious approach to the topic of criminal careers.