Examining such areas as the criminal justice system, poverty, employment, training and offending, housing and health, this study explores the field of social work.

Part 1 The criminal justice system, Peter Raynor: systems as targets and opportunities
systems for juveniles but not adults?
monitoring and outcomes - the example of reports
current problems and the dynamics of system change. Part 2 Poverty, Jon Arnold and Bill Jordan: the changed climate
crime as rational action
poverty and enforcement
practice in the new context. Part 3 Employment, training and offending, Iain Crow: unemployment and crime
unemployment and social instability
offenders, employment and the criminal process
training and jobs for offenders. Part 4 Housing, Gill Stewart: policies and systems
probation client's circumstances
housing and crime
responding to housing issues in probation work
individual structural levels
administrative structural levels
systems and structures. Part 5 Health, Joan Orne and Colin Pritchard: evidence
implications for the work of the service.