Pre-trial Services and the Future of Probation

(Paperback)

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Description

The efficiency of the British criminal justice system is currently being called into question by an escalating prison population, financial pressures and civil liberties arguments. This book considers how pre-trial services can help shape the future of probation practice when the fastest rising sector of the prison population is those awaiting trial or sentencing. Pre-Trial Services represents the first detailed attempt to investigate the role the Probation Service might play in this field, using an on-the-ground investigation of current practice, a history of pre-trial services in Wales and England, a review of the American experience, qualitative and quantitative material from selected probation areas and interviews with leading figures in the world of criminal justice. The authors argue for the systematic provision of pre-trial services at all points in the criminal justice system and for this work to be located within a revived and reinvigorated probation service. If best practice were to be repeated throughout Wales and England, then millions of pounds could be saved to spend on more worthwhile projects and thousands of people could be spared the devastation and humiliation which a remand in custody brings.

Author Bio

Mark Drakeford is a lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. Kevin Haines is a lecturer in the School of Social Sciences and International Development, University of Wales, Swansea. Bev Cotton is a lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Buckingham. Mike Octigan is a senior probation officer with the West Midlands Probation Service. All have published extensively (mostly with Macmillan) and are regular contributors to specialist journals.