Reviews: Youth Crime and Justice
| Author | Gurmit Heer |
| Published date | 01 September 2007 |
| Date | 01 September 2007 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/02645505070540030902 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
detailed analyses of the criminogenic needs of BME probationers and make
comparisons with previous research. These chapters are a detailed and useful
analysis of socio-ethnological factors impacting on offenders from minority groups,
and include insights into different parts of the criminal justice system. Of particu-
lar interest to me was Chapter 10, which considered perceptions of fairness of
provision amongst the probationers, and their views on whether they preferred
working in mixed or separate groups or preferred to have a supervisor from the
same ethnic group. The needs of BME probationers are disparate, and this is
illustrated by the fact that only 36 per cent agreed that they would prefer a super-
visor from the same background, while 43 per cent disagreed.
Overall, the book successfully describes the range of challenges facing a
probation service attempting to work effectively with offenders from all ethnicities
and backgrounds. This is particularly pertinent in the light of the development of
NOMS, which has yet to produce a clear written strategy on race issues. The
authors acknowledge the dearth of information available for meaningful compari-
sons about ‘what works’ and as such, this book does not attempt to be a handbook
for practical use within the service. Instead, it provides an effective examination
of key considerations and presents an emerging evidence base to be considered
as practice moves forward.
Neil Graver
Consultant, Matrix Research and Consultancy
Youth Crime and Justice
Barry Goldson and John Muncie (eds)
Sage Publications, 2006; pp 239, £20.99, hbk
ISBN 1–4129–1138–9
Out of Sight
Robert McAuley
Willan Publishing, 2006; pp 196, £49, hbk
ISBN 1–84392–196–0
Youth Crime and Justice is a compelling and wide-ranging
book providing a broad insight into the cultural as well as
legal dimensions affecting young people in society. It would
be of interest both to practitioner and academic readers
interested in how young people can be criminalized in
modern society, and gives due attention (in Chapter 3) to
diversity issues – race, class and age – a critical analysis
that other texts tend to lack. Particularly striking is the
Probation Journal
290 54(3)
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