Book review: Therapeutic Correctional Relationships: Theory, Research and Practice
| Published date | 01 June 2017 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0264550517705778 |
| Date | 01 June 2017 |
| Author | Helena Gosling |
| Subject Matter | Book reviews |
Book reviews
Book reviews
Therapeutic Correctional Relationships: Theory, Research
and Practice
Sarah Lewis
Routledge; 2015; pp. 172; £95; hbk (£25 E-book)
ISBN: 978-1138897991
Reviewed by: Helena Gosling, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice,
Liverpool John Moores University
Lewis skilfully utilizes her lived experie nce as a practitioner and scholarly insight
across criminological and psychological disciplines to produce an insightful piece
of research which reinvigorates one of the most longstanding, yet under-
developed, concepts in criminal justice. Through an in-depth exploration of the
processes and practices which underpin relationships between probation practi-
tioners and (ex)offenders Therapeutic Correctional Relationships re-iterates how
and why relationships matter. Based upon a doctoral thesis, this book examines –
through the use of a relational lens – how practitioners can enhance their pro-
fessional practice by understanding how relationships with (ex)offenders form,
developandendeffectively.Forthefirst time, the discussion draws upon the
experience of both (ex)offenders and probation practitioners to uncover the dif-
ficult side of relationships, identifying how they can rupture, break down, be
repaired and safeguarded. Rather than employing ongoing political tensions and
organizational uncertainty as a vehicle to critique the importance and sustain-
ability of inter-personal relationships at the coal face of service delivery, Lewis
proposes how such dynamics can be overcome and negotiated on a political and
social level.
The fundamental purpose of Lewis’s research is to explore how (ex)offenders
construct relationships that they consider to be significant, and, perhaps more
importantly, how such relationships flow and develop over time. By focusing
upon the micro-processes which take place as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ relationships
unfold between probation practitioners and (ex)offenders, Lewis demonstrates a
unique ability to approach complex issues, that are typically kept in the sha-
dows, in a sensitive and respectful way. Although the existing literature and
Probation Journal
2017, Vol. 64(2) 161–166
ªThe Author(s) 2017
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DOI: 10.1177/0264550517705778
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The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
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