1. Introduction to social constructionist theory and its application to work with offenders, Nigel Parton, Kevin Gorman and Patrick O'Byrne. 2. Collaborative and constructive frontline practice with offenders in a climate of 'tough love' and 'Third Way' politics, Bill Jordan. 3. The offender as citizen: socially inclusive strategies for balancing the rights and responsibilities of those who commit crimes, Marilyn Gregory. 4. Constructive working relationships and desistance from crime: the missing link, Jeremy Cameron. 5. Assessing and managing offender risk through the construction of safety rather than the avoidance of danger, Michelle Hayles. 6. The constructive use of courtroom skills and enforcement procedures to achieve client co-operation and change, Geoff Kenure. 7. Constructing a convincing narrative: the art of persuasive storytelling within the tight constraints of formal pre-sentence assessments for the criminal courts, Kevin Gorman 8. Constructive work with offenders across ethnic divides, Lena Dominelli. 9. Constructive work with women offenders, Sue Carless. 10. Constructive work with the perpetrators of sexual offences, Malcolm Cowburn. 11. 'What works' for the client: consumer-based research into effective practice as perceived by young offenders in Scotland, Monica Barry. 12. Conclusion, Kevin Gorman, Marilyn Gregory, Michelle Hayles and Nigel Parton. References. Index.
Constructive Work with Offenders offers a challenge to many of the assumptions of criminal justice policy and the dominant approaches to practice. The contributors advocate an emphasis on constructive work with offenders that harnesses their positive strengths and resources, and offers inclusive approaches to effective offender assessment and intervention. Taking a fresh look at much received knowledge, they proclaim that constructive work with offenders is both possible and increasingly warranted, and encourage practitioners to develop new skills and adapt existing expertise to the rapidly changing requirements of the criminal justice system. This book will be of interest to practitioners, trainers, managers, and researchers in the criminal justice system, as well as academics and students in the field of criminology and related disciplines.