A great deal has been written about developing effective practice
against a backdrop of rapid change in criminal justice services. Much of
this is research-oriented and not always accessible to practitioners in
their day-to-day work. This book changes that. Drawing on research and
integrating this with practitioner experience, the book creates fresh,
research-based 'practice wisdom' for engaging effectively with
offenders. It explores issues of risk, responsivity and diversity in the
context of work with specific offender and offending behaviour groups as
a means to highlight those skills and understandings which can be used
across the wider range of work environments. The authors break down
complex ideas to enable practical application, and each chapter includes
questions for reflection and practice development. With its accessible
style, balancing academic rigour with clear pointers to best practice,
this book will interest everyone working face to face with offenders. It
recognises that there are no instant solutions to changing offending
behaviour but provides a practice text that will encourage a sense of
competence and confidence, enhancing readers' skill and enthusiasm when
working with a broad spectrum of offenders.
