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49 Prob. J. 2 (2002)

handle is hein.journals/probj49 and id is 1 raw text is: Much political rhetoric about criminal justice encourages a clear distinction between the 'law-abiding public' (us) and criminal offenders (them) who, we are led to believe, exist in different physical and moral spheres. Two articles in this edition discuss the limitations of such an approach to policy formulation, while stressing the essential importance of social inclusion and integration of offenders to effective community protection. The Supervision of Sex Offenders points out that excluding this particularly despised group from the social capital of the community will inevitably increase risk by encouraging them to 'disappear' from the margins of a society in which they are allowed no stake. A similar point is made in Racist Violence and the Probation Service, which argues that racist aggression is likely to be exacerbated by policies and practices which encourage alienation and weaken social bonds. Interestingly, much of the thinking in these two articles resonates with the conclusions of the investigation into the recent 'race riots' in Oldham, Burnley and Bradford (the 'Cantle Report'). Although the comparison between these disturbances and the circumstances of socially dislocated offenders is obviously a limited one, the report does provide a dramatic illustration of the dangers of separated communities and intolerance. Racist Violence and the Probation Service also argues that the current emphasis in the Probation Service on risk management and confrontation is incompatible with an effective approach to tackling the 'unacknowledged shame' which, the authors postulate, lies at the root of much racist offending. It therefore contributes usefully to the recent proliferation of articles and letters on 'What Works?' and accredited programmes, continued at length in this edition on the Letters pages. Older Offenders and Probation touches on similar themes when it questions the appropriateness for older offenders of current accredited programmes and indeed other services. The authors suggest that the Probation Service ignores this group at its peril, and warn that a radical overhaul of attitudes, procedures and policies is necessary to meet the challenges presented by this growing and in many ways unique population. Following the article in the September 2001 edition focusing on many positive aspects of probation training (The Integration of Theory and Practice Within the Diploma in Probation Studies), the Reflections piece The NVQ - A Means to an End? offers a withering critique of the new arrangements. This paper argues that the training will not only lead to a drop in standards of probation practice, but is also incompatible with principles of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Given the critical importance of this issue, responses to the points raised in this article would be particularly welcome. Remand prisoners are one of the most vulnerable groups in the prison population, with multiple needs and high rates of self harm and suicide. Pre-Trial Services: Someone Else's Agenda? argues that they have suffered from a destructive ambivalence within the Criminal Justice System, manifested in the lack of commitment to successful bail information and support services. This article heralds the June 2002 Special Issue on Prisons, Prisoners and Resettlement, which addresses a wide range of topics, including women prisoners, prisoners as citizens, suicide, self harm and mental health in prisons. Finally, the Practice Note Drama-Based Groupwork describes an innovative project, part sponsored by a youth offending team, which uses creative methods to engage young people at risk of offending in accredited education programmes. As usual, the Editorial Board would welcome letters or articles in response to any of the articles or other features in this edition.

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