Over the last two decades, empirical evidence has increasingly supported the view that it is possible to reduce re-offending rates by rehabilitating offenders rather than simply punishing them. In fact, the pendulum's swing back from a pure punishment model to a rehabilitation model is arguably one of the most significant events in modern correctional policy. This comprehensive review argues that rehabilitation should focus both on promoting human goods (i.e. providing the offender with the essential ingredients for a 'good' life), as well as reducing/avoiding risk.

Offering a succinct summary and critique of the scientific approach to offender rehabilitation, this intriguing volume for students of criminology, sociology and clinical psychology gives a comprehensive evaluation of both the Risk-Need Model and the Good Lives Model.

Rehabilitation is a value-laden process involving a delicate balance of the needs and desires of clinicians, clients, the State and the public. Written by two international leading academics in rehabilitation research, this book argues that intervention with offenders is not simply a matter of implementing the best therapeutic technology and leaving political and social debate to politicians and policy makers.

About the Author

Tony Ward is Professor of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Director at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. His research interests include the offense process in offenders, cognitive distortions and models of rehabilitation. He has published over 190 research articles, chapters and books.

Shadd Maruna is a Reader in Criminology at Queen's University Belfast. Previously he has been a lecturer at the University of Cambridge and the State University of New York. His previous book, Making Good: How Ex-Convicts Reform and Rebuild Their Lives (2001) was named the Outstanding Contribution to Criminology by the American Society of Criminology in 2001.

Reviews

'What this book has done is to bring to the forefront of criminological discussion the need for research and evaluation of rehabilitation. It is a crucial piece of work for all those that have tired of overcrowded prisons and laws that alienate a substantial portion of the society. This work suggests a direction for criminology and much needed progress focusing not only on the importance of rehabilitation but also on the fundamental significance of integrative approaches and methodologies. The work would also prove a beneficial read and new perspective for those practitioners working within the field of corrections, most fundamentally suggesting the need to move beyond cookie-cutter, pre-fabricated one size fits all psychoeducational treatment program models.'-- Crime, Law, and Social Change, 2008

'This stimulating book introduces a relatively new approach to working with prisoners and those under probation supervision...It introduces ideas which will be of intense interest to those working in any capacity to support rehabilitation and an approach which, in its values and practicality, will appeal strongly to practitioners themselves. It deserves to be read and discussed widely.'-- Probation Journal, 2008

'In conclusion, Rehabilitation: Beyond the Risk Paradigm is a compelling work which provides a stimulating account of rehabilitation and an accessible and rewarding discussion of the Risk-Need-Responsivity and GLM's respective theoretical frameworks.' -Harry Annison, The Howard Journal

'As I have suggested, the fact that Rehabilitation does raise questions and can't be read without engaging with it is a plus in my opinion. Big ideas should make us think about our assumptions, what we know, and how we work....If you want to get under the bonnet of the GLM [Good Lives Model] and feel a bit challenged by some of the ideas, have something to reflect upon then this may just be the pool-side book for you this summer. If you have a pool. And if we have a summer.'-Forensic Update

'[This book] introduces ideas which will be of intense interest to those working in any capacity to support rehabilitation and an approach which, in its values and practicality, will appeal strongly to practitioners themselves. It deserves to be read and discussed widely.'Probation Journal

Book Information
ISBN 9780415386432
Author Tony Ward
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 400g