Book Review: Fixing It? - Young People, Drugs and Disadvantage
| Author | Brian Walker |
| Published date | 01 December 2001 |
| Date | 01 December 2001 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/026455050104800418 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
303
more business orientated”. Faulkner
laments the absence of a coherent
discussion of the proper balance between
national direction and local discretion. He
also expresses concern about the
preparation for leadership in public
services – and quoting Nellis and Barnett
(p.83), he emphasises the importance of a
higher education which helps to give the
public servant the vision and confidence
to question, adapt and innovate, all of
which are processes which might be
neglected under the pressure for economy
and effectiveness.
So the stage is now ready for the main
action: an exploration of criminal justice
from every significant angle. The chapters
on the politics of criminal justice from
1979 to the present provide informed and
fascinating insights. The criminal justice
services are given detailed attention, with
in-depth sections on the Courts, the
Crown Prosecution Service, the Police and
the Prison and Probation Services.
Faulkner expresses some worries about
certain organisational aspects of the
National Probation Service and in
more positive vein his vision for the
development of the Service (pp.320-322)
will be warmly welcomed by probation
staff. Issues relating to the victims of
crime, racism and youth justice are among
a wide range of other topics which
complete the picture. The author wants to
see the construction of an alternative
criminal justice system based on
restorative principles and a better
alignment between sentencing policy and
practice and the resources needed to give
effect to sentencing decisions. He urges
serious debate on the case for a
Department of Justice. A keen sense of
values permeates the book, which
concludes with the plea that “the demand
for safety and the search for efficiency
must not exclude the pursuit of freedom
and justice, still more a sense of
compassion and humanity”.
In a particularly illuminating part of
his book, the author criticises the present
government for using the language of war-
fare which “is not appropriate for
discussion of how to prevent crime or how
to treat offenders”. It is the language of
exclusion which encourages feelings of
hatred, suspicion and fear. These are bold
and profound words – especially in the
current climate – which characterise the
overall content of a book which is
authoritative, informative and stimulating.
The reader seeking opportunity for
further study will be delighted at the
comprehensive endnotes after each
chapter. This is a substantial textbook with
much to absorb, but it is never dull
because the written style is clear in its
presentation of facts and its abundance of
positive and exciting proposals for
change. Faulkner’s distinctive brand of
wisdom and vision is successfully
captured in this book which is of great
value to a wide readership and, yes, it is
well worth the waiting. David Mathieson
Retired Chief Probation Officer
Fixing It? – Young People, Drugs
and Disadvantage
Margaret Melrose
Russell House Publishing, 2000;
pp122; £11.95, pbk
ISBN 1-898924-79-1
Young people have used illicit substances
Book Reviews-p301-309 22/11/01 9:16 am Page 3
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