Postscript
| Published date | 01 September 1976 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455057602300311 |
| Date | 01 September 1976 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
93
POSTSCRIPT
...
What
of
the
future?
Does
the
Service
have
a
single
clear
philosophy
which
can
be
embraced
by
all
its
members-or
is
there
now
a
multi.
philosophy
in
the
Service?
Does
the
Service
have
a
distinctive
direction
for
the
future-or
should
the
Service
diversify
its
activities
into
several
different
channels?
Should
the
Service
seek
to
consolidate
and
make
more
effective
its
traditional
areas
of
work--or
should
initiative
now
be
given
a
free
rein
to
break
new
ground
and
introduce
new
methods
of
work?
These
are
crucial
questions
to
which
there
are
no
easy
answers.
How-
ever,
one
thing
is
certain:
financial
resources
fvill
be
tight
for
several
years
to
come
and,
like
it
or
not,
the
econotnic
situation
is
going
to
make
a
considerable
impact
on
the
Service.
Whether
we
allow
the
state
of
the
economy
to
dictate
the
nature
and
quality
of
the
Service-or
whether
we
take
decisive
professional
action
to
shape
the
Service-is
a
matter
for
us.
’
If
apathy
sets
in,
there
will
be
no
second
centenary
to
celebrate
in
2076.
There
are
considerable
numbers
of
people
who
would
be
only
too
glad
to
see
the
end
of
anything
which
resembles
care
and
attention
for
offenders.
If
there
should
be
competition
for
resources
in
the
public
sector,
the
very
life
and
existence
of
tlze
Probation
and
After
Care
Service
could
be
at
stake.
We
hope,
therefore,
that
this
special
edition
will
stimulate
widespread
discussion
about
the
past,
the
present
and-most
important-the
future.
We
irzvite
readers
to
respond
ivith
their
own
articles
and
letters
to
the
jourrzal.
But
most
of
all,
we
want
everyone
with
any
connection
with
the
Service
to
examine
their
mvn
part
critically.
The
future
of
the
Service
really
is
in
your
hands.
IN
LIGHTER
VEIN
So
You
Want
To
Be
B?
F.V.J.
(The
scene
is
the
Headquarters
Computer
Ofhce.
Inside
are
two
ACPOs
in
white
coats.
On
the
wall
is
a
large
notice
which
reads:
Management
rules-OK?
The
candidate
enters.)
ACPO
1:
So
you
want
to
be
B?
Sit
down.
ACPO
2:
We’re
going
to
question
you
under
certain
headings.
The
answers
you
give
are
fed
into
Big
Bertha
here
(he
taps
the
computer).
APCO
1:
VOCSENSE:
love
your
work,
stay
on
late,
kiss
lepers-that
sort
of
thing?
CAND.:
I
stay
twice
a
week
till
6.30-for
the
tea
allowance.
I
once
shook
hands
with
an
asthmatic.
ACPO
2:
Are
you
prepared
to
go
the
extra
mile?
CAND.:
At
12p
a
mile
who
isn’t?
To continue reading
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