The probation service has a pivotal role in interpreting the concept of justice and advancing the cause of justice through practical action. This task is increasingly challenging and with the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 establishing the National Probation Service of England and Wales in April 2001, this book is a timely account of how this task will manifest itself, written by experts closely involved in this world of change.

The increasing public expectation and scrutiny focused on the whole area of probation, coupled with the ongoing plans of the Government to bring about consistent standards and practice means that this is an area that will only continue to change and grow over the comming years. The probation service has to locate itself in a changing landscape and formulate a mission appropriate to the 21st century.

Here leading academics, policy makers, managers and practitioners have combined to put the spotlight on what contribution probation can make to public protection and social justice. Their efforts, culminating in this book, will help shape the new service and provide stimulus for critical debate of · Justice and Rights - what role does probation have in the tensions between rights and responsibilities, between victims and offenders? Justice in Practice - how do competing demands affect day to day community supervision and What Works? Justice in Organisation - are the reforms of modernisation going to create a service that can deliver?

It is of vital relevance to all who work in the probation world and to other criminal justice agencies and professionals.