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Prisoner Resettlement: Policy and Practice

NCJ Number
222396
Editor(s)
Anthea Hucklesby, Lystra Hagley-Dickinson
Date Published
2007
Length
320 pages
Annotation
This book reviews and analyzes current (early 21st century) policy and practice in resettling in the community those released from prison in England and Wales.
Abstract
The four chapters of Part 1 provide a critical review of current policy, theory, practice, and research on inmates' resettlement. One chapter reviews current attempts to make practice a reflection of policy rhetoric. The second chapter explains the theoretical perspectives on resettlement and their implications for practice. Models of resettlement are outlined in chapter 3, followed by a chapter on the prevalence and findings of evaluative research on resettlement policy and practice. The four chapters of Part 2 explore practice issues. Two case studies of resettlement initiatives are presented, one which focuses on employment and the other on housing. The use of volunteers in resettlement services is discussed in another chapter. Four of the five chapters in Part 3 address resettlement issues for specific groups of offenders, namely, women, Black and minority ethnic offenders, habitual offenders, and dangerous offenders. The concluding fifth chapter of Part 3 reviews the opportunities and barriers in resettlement efforts. Regarding opportunities, this chapter notes the high priority currently given to resettlement policy and practice. The new Offender Management Model is promising, as it focuses on continuity in the management of offenders during and after their imprisonment. One of the greatest threats to effective resettlement work, however, is the large number of offenders being imprisoned, which consequently increases the flood of prisoners being released back into the community, placing a strain on and diluting resettlement resources. It also makes it more difficult to screen each inmate in order to determine his/her resettlement needs prior to being released, so that those responsible for the management of his/her resettlement can have appropriate resources in place when the inmate is released. Chapter notes and references and a subject index