This is a critical and current examination of the historical development of work with offenders and their treatment by both the state and society. In particular, the book highlights how this area of work has altered as professionals have lost much of their autonomy and ability to control their time as a result of political interference.

Goodman offers a unique and fascinating history of the after-care unit as an example of how good practice grew organically with both petty, persistent and 'heavy end' offenders. It also illustrates how the demise of the unit was symptomatic of the centralisation of work with offenders which led to the loss of independence for professionals.

The book also offers an exclusive focus on the many changes in the national standards, which provides a theoretical understanding of the discourse on the relationship between the public in whose name supervision is being conducted, the supervisors, and the offender. The author has conducted interviews with key staff over many years and has accumulated a rich source of data which offers a unique 'insiders' view into the continuing changes within the service and the implications of these changes for the protection of the public.

Anthony Goodman is Professor of Criminal and Community Justice Studies at Middlesex University. He previously worked as a probation officer in a number of settings, including a women's prison and a resettlement unit for the homeless, which supported many high risk offenders. Professor Goodman has conducted research for the probation service as well as in the fields of hate crime, substance misuse and most recently, young people, ethnicity and identity. He is the author of Social Work with Drug and Substance Misusers (2007, 2009).