Review: Rehabilitation Tony Ward and Shadd Maruna Routledge, 2007; pp 204; £15.99, pbk ISBN—10: 0—41538—643—8; ISBN-13: 978—0—41538—643—2
| DOI | 10.1177/0264550507085683 |
| Published date | 01 March 2008 |
| Author | Keith Davies |
| Date | 01 March 2008 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Rehabilitation
Tony Ward and Shadd Maruna
Routledge, 2007; pp 204; £15.99, pbk
ISBN–10: 0–41538–643–8;
ISBN-13: 978–0–41538–643–2
This stimulating book introduces a relatively new approach
to working with prisoners and those under probation super-
vision the ‘Good Lives Model’ (GLM). At the same time,
the authors compare the GLM with the existing and much
more widely known Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model
developed in particular by Andrews and Bonta (2003). Whilst openly arguing the
merits of the Good Lives Model and, at the same time, developing a detailed critique
of the Risk-Need-Responsivity approach, the authors are at pains to acknowledge
the strengths and weaknesses of both and to explore what they might offer prac-
titioners if used in tandem.
One of the attractions of this book lies in its providing an alternative perspec-
tive with regard to why people offend and why they might engage with rehabilita-
tive interventions. In doing so it gives a high priority to the questions of motivation
and the probationer viewpoint:
If prisoners and probationers do not want the interventions we are providing for
them, are these things any real help? (p. 17)
In addressing that question amongst others, Rehabilitation follows a relatively simple
structure. The introductory chapter explores the history of rehabilitation in work
with offenders over the last 40 or so years and, in particular, how it has become
an ‘unsexy’, even archaic concept. The authors tell the ‘Nothing Works’ to ‘What
Works’ story with both care and comic irreverence:
Everyone knows this tune, so feel free to sing along. (p. 8)
In choosing to settle for the traditional term ‘rehabilitation’ as the central idea of
their book the authors also indicate a key characteristic of the Good Lives Model:
We seek to return to basics in some ways, recasting rehabilitation as a way of
helping people who want to go straight. (p. 7)
95
Probation Journal
The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
Copyright © 2008 NAPO Vol 55(1): 95–104
DOI: 10.1177/0264550507085683
www.napo.org.uk
http://prb.sagepub.com
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