This text is an introduction to the history of British criminal justice policy and a survey of the current debates about the British criminal justice and penal systems. It covers not just the courts, probation and prison services but also policing, crime prevention and the issues surrounding the treatment of victims by the criminal justice system.
This new edition provides a general update and revision, and records the substantial changes in criminal justice policy and legislation since the late 1990s, particularly those introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. There is also a new chapter on crime prevention and community safety and increased coverage of young offenders, reflecting the current government's focus.