George Mair is Professor of Criminal Justice, Liverpool Hope University. He has researched and published widely on community penalties. His most recent book is What Matters in Probation (Willan, 2004). He has been a member of the Merseyside Probation Board since its inception in 2001.Judith Rumgay recently retired from the London School of Economics where she was Reader in Social Policy.

"At a time when probation in England and Wales faces its deconstruction as a public service, this indispensable collection of readings will serve as a treasure trove of policy, research and practice-based writings on a much-neglected and hugely important part of the criminal justice system. Anyone who wants to understand, to improve or to transform probation should be required to read this book first."Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology & Social Work, University of Glasgow, Scotland. "This book offers a timely and fascinating overview of policy developments, theoretical debates and practitioners’ views and experiences throughout the rich history of probation in England and Wales. A must-read for all who are interested in the successes and challenges raised by community penalties."Sonja Snacken, Professor of Criminology, Penology and Sociology of Law at the Department of Criminology, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels. "George Mair and Judith Rumgay are both eminent researchers and writers on criminal justice, and in this volume they have put together a definitive collection of key texts and sources for the study of probation. Everyone interested in this field will benefit from their fascinating selection, and from their helpful commentaries, which put the selected readings in context. This deserves a place on every criminologist's bookshelf."Professor Peter Raynor AcSS, Swansea University, UK.

• Part A. Probation: an official history Part B. Probation history: alternative perspectives Part C. Models of Practice Part D. Supervision: practice and programmes Part E. Diversity Part F. Effectiveness.

George Mair is Professor of Criminal Justice, Liverpool Hope University. He has researched and published widely on community penalties. His most recent book is What Matters in Probation (Willan, 2004). He has been a member of the Merseyside Probation Board since its inception in 2001.Judith Rumgay recently retired from the London School of Economics where she was Reader in Social Policy.

"At a time when probation in England and Wales faces its deconstruction as a public service, this indispensable collection of readings will serve as a treasure trove of policy, research and practice-based writings on a much-neglected and hugely important part of the criminal justice system. Anyone who wants to understand, to improve or to transform probation should be required to read this book first."Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology & Social Work, University of Glasgow, Scotland. "This book offers a timely and fascinating overview of policy developments, theoretical debates and practitioners’ views and experiences throughout the rich history of probation in England and Wales. A must-read for all who are interested in the successes and challenges raised by community penalties."Sonja Snacken, Professor of Criminology, Penology and Sociology of Law at the Department of Criminology, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels. "George Mair and Judith Rumgay are both eminent researchers and writers on criminal justice, and in this volume they have put together a definitive collection of key texts and sources for the study of probation. Everyone interested in this field will benefit from their fascinating selection, and from their helpful commentaries, which put the selected readings in context. This deserves a place on every criminologist's bookshelf."Professor Peter Raynor AcSS, Swansea University, UK.

• Part A. Probation: an official history Part B. Probation history: alternative perspectives Part C. Models of Practice Part D. Supervision: practice and programmes Part E. Diversity Part F. Effectiveness.