Reviews : Privatisation and the Penal System Mick Ryan and Tony Ward Open University Press, 1989
| Author | Keith Skerman |
| Published date | 01 December 1989 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455058903600412 |
| Date | 01 December 1989 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
schemes was never achieved, which is
dubious in terms of civil rights. They
not to deny the work and training ex-
highlight the overtly political nature
periences that were provided for a
and commercial type of lobbying
significant number of individuals.
which is now
behind British proposals
Essentially, though, this was a short
for private prisons and other measures.
term gain for, in the long term, par-
Closer to home, there is a less well
ticipation in such schemes had little ef-
argued but highly topical discussion of
fect on bargaining powers in local
non-custodial aspects of the criminal
labour markets. ’People were left to
justice system. Indeed, the political and
move within what may be termed a
moral dilemmas in supporting the
secondary market for unskilled and
’voluntary’ and ’non-profit making’
surplus skill work which is supported
sectors are acute and there is a high risk
at relatively low wage levels by govern-
of profit-making and commercial intru-
ment finance’, thus, perhaps, endors-
sion The authors spell out these dilem-
ing NAPO’s mistrust.
mas
with care but do not do justice to
This work
provides an interesting
the special risk such developments
and thoughtful read on a topic that pro-
hold for women and black people, eg
bation officers work with everyday. It
within remand, welfare and halfway
is carefully written and guarded, pro-
houses, juvenile programmes, bail
viding no simple explanations and not
hostels etc.
claiming to offer any simple solutions.
NAPO’s part in the response to the
Much of the comment and assessment
Green Paper proposals is included
may seem predictable yet it is helpful
within an analysis of how greater ac-
to have it available and
based on careful
countability is needed in all sectors of
analysis
the penal and...
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