Book Reviews

AuthorRose Parkes
Pages93-100
Book Reviews
93
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In their introduction, Hanvey, Philpot and Wils on assert that this text is not an academic
study, but rather, they hope, an accessible read which will appeal to a range of
professionals and lay persons interested in the emerging practice of circles as a method of
addressing sex offending (p15). On many levels they have achieved this aim, providing a
succinct overview of t he origins of circles of support and accountability; their context,
practice and evaluation within the United Kingdom. The accessibility of the book is
heightened further via fascinating illustrations in the form of a number of c ases studies of
offenders and volunteers engaged in the circles process, relating their real life
experiences, triumphs and challenges.
However, what the authors may have underestimated is their audience ’s capacity to
engage in the theoretical principles which support such work, and the interests and
benefits of doing so. A deeper understanding of why, and how, this method of community
reintegration appears to be effective i n certain circumstances would s urely enhance any
arguments for its ongoing development and financial investment? In fairness, several
passing references are made to concepts of desistance and the Good Lives model (Law
and Gannon 2011), but there is little expansion on this as a framework within which to
consider the reintegration and rehabilitation of sex offenders. To this extent, the practice
of circles is more firmly set by the authors within the context of risk assessment and
offender management, rather than fully considering the implications of an alternative,
strengths-based, empowerment model of reducing re-offending, which moves offenders
forward to an offence-free, positive construction of themselves.
In a similar way, the connections with restorative justice principles receive a rather brief
and broad treatment at the start of chapter one. In my view, Braithwaite’s (1989) concept
British Journal of Community Justice
©2012 Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
ISSN 1475-0279
Vol. 10(2): 93-100

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