Matthew Millings

The role of the private sector in managing and delivering criminal justice services is not a new phenomenon and the criminal justice field is just one of a number of public and social policy fields which have increasingly been opened up to the market. Research has shown that these transitions do not follow a uniform pattern, or adhere to an accepted blueprint. Drawing on a rich original data set of observational research and interviews, this book captures a distinctive period of profound change in the devolution of the probation service in England and Wales and constructs a narrative of the transition process. It explores the impact of privatization on workers and their identities, in their move from public service to private sector employment. It explores occupational cultures and loyalties, the speed of processes of transition and leadership approaches to driving change. The books argues that the way in which workers experience and manage these transitions tell us a great deal about the prospects for retaining (formerly) public sector staff within fields that are increasingly being subject to private sector influence.

Community justice both as a practice and as a subject of criminological concern has become an issue of increasing significance over the past few years. While ideas and initiatives about such matters as community policing have been commonplace for several decades, the more synoptic concept of community justice has become a key part of government policy in the 21st century for both the Labour and Coalition administrations. Until now, most books on community justice have focused exclusively on the US. Doing Justice in the Community fills this gap and brings together an analysis of the origins, theories and practices of community justice within the UK. The book provides a timely opportunity to engage critically with the practice and philosophy of community justice, and thereby to better understand the consequences for crime, control and society of employing approaches that place the ‘community’ at the heart of responding to offending behaviour.

Community justice both as a practice and as a subject of criminological concern has become an issue of increasing significance over the past few years. While ideas and initiatives about such matters as community policing have been commonplace for several decades, the more synoptic concept of community justice has become a key part of government policy in the 21st century for both the Labour and Coalition administrations. Until now, most books on community justice have focused exclusively on the US. Doing Justice in the Community fills this gap and brings together an analysis of the origins, theories and practices of community justice within the UK. The book provides a timely opportunity to engage critically with the practice and philosophy of community justice, and thereby to better understand the consequences for crime, control and society of employing approaches that place the ‘community’ at the heart of responding to offending behaviour.