"During the past twenty years or so through a process involving missed opportunities, misguided policies and political posturing successive governments have almost squeezed the humanitarian life out of the Probation Service: it lingers still. Although, Philip Whitehead argues in this book that the humanitarian role of the Service will not survive, those of us who disagree know that if it is to survive in some form that benefits society by contributing to the rehabilitation of those people who offend, a thorough and critical understanding of that process is crucial. No-one is better qualified to deliver that understanding than Philip Whitehead. Not only has he worked within the Service throughout this period but he has shown in his many publications an acute understanding of the history of probation. This book promises to be both the definitive account of its recent past and the critically challenging one that is needed." Maurice Vanstone, Emeritus Professor of Criminology, Swansea University