Obituary
| Published date | 01 June 2013 |
| Author | David Mathieson |
| Date | 01 June 2013 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0264550513493231 |
| Subject Matter | Obituary |
Obituary
David Mathieson
David Mathieson, ex-editor of Probation Journal and Merseyside’s chief probation
officer from 1981 until his retirement in 1999, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in
March at the age of 71. He was synonymous with the probation service, having
commenced his career in 1962 at Preston as the youngest probation officer in the
country and then moving to Merseyside in 1963. As David moved quickly through
the ranks he was also national vice-chair of the National Association of Probation
Officers during the 1960s as well as editing Probation Journal. Along with other
notable North West colleagues, he brought probation out of the shadows through
his sustained commitment over some thirty years to influencing the local, regional
and national criminal justice system.
He was without doubt intellectually able, and his ability to analyse the political
and social landscape and to write simply and eloquently about the world of pro-
bation was a very significant tool of influence. Whether it was an article for a
learned journal or a letter of condolence to the family of a staff member, his words
were superbly crafted and reflected his sensitivity to, and concern for, either the
person involved or the issue at hand. He contributed regularly to the Journal and
other publications, and for a generation of practitioners in the 1970s, his booklet
Reports for the Courts (written with Leslie Herbert and published by Napo) was one
of the few practice-focused guides available at the time.
1
One of his last pieces for
Probation Journal was a beautifully written reflection – what’s in a name? Published
in 1998, David argued that ‘The term Probation Service has proved extremely dur-
able, so if a change of name is thought desirable, then something equally durable is
needed. It is not just a quick and easy matter of alighting on a name that sounds
tough and American.’
2
His style was never confrontational, rather he always tried
to encourage individuals to reflect and reconsider their position.
His commitment to the humanitarian values of social work were unwavering and
his belief that all offenders had the capacity to change was profound and unshak-
able. He also believed in the strength of poor communities to organise themselves
and his personal attempts to influence the Thatcher Government’s thinking about
urban regeneration following the 1981 Toxteth disturbances was tenacious and
sustained. He was particularly proud to work with Archbishop Derek Worlock and
Bishop David Sheppard on social policies affecting Merseyside.
David wasn’t just a chief officer – his life was probation and he looked upon
Merseyside Probation as an extension of his own close family. He prided himself on
Probation Journal
60(2) 219–220
ªThe Author(s) 2013
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DOI: 10.1177/0264550513493231
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The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
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