This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Merrington, S. Articles by Stanley, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

‘What Works?’: Revisiting the Evidence in England and Wales

Research Consultant, merrington{at}onetel.net.uk

Steve Stanley

London Probation Area, Stephen.stanley{at}london.probation.gsx.gov.uk

This article reviews the evidence that has been published in the last three years relating to the effectiveness of ‘What Works?’ or evidence-based interventions with offenders in the Probation, Prison and Youth Justice Services in England and Wales. It concludes that the evidence of programmes having an impact on re-offending is patchy, although a number show improvements in intermediate outcomes such as employment and literacy. There are indications that to be effective programmes need to be well targeted and supported, and reinforced by good case management. More studies remain to be completed, and it is too early to say what works, what doesn’t, and what is promising.

Key Words: accredited programmes • effectiveness • evidence-based practice • prison • probation • reconviction • ‘What Works?’ • youth justice

Probation Journal, Vol. 51, No. 1, 7-20 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0264550504042445


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Hedderman How not to assess probation performance: Constructing local reconviction rates Probation Journal, June 1, 2009; 56(2): 111 - 127. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Stanley What Works in 2009: Progress or stagnation? Probation Journal, June 1, 2009; 56(2): 153 - 174. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Hollingsworth Responsibility and Rights: Children and Their Parents in the Youth Justice System Int J Law Policy Family, August 1, 2007; 21(2): 190 - 219. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Lancaster and J. Lumb The Assessment of Risk in the National Probation Service of England and Wales Journal of Social Work, December 1, 2006; 6(3): 275 - 291. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Robinson and P. Raynor The future of rehabilitation: What role for the probation service? Probation Journal, December 1, 2006; 53(4): 334 - 346. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Davies Case management and Think First completion Probation Journal, September 1, 2006; 53(3): 213 - 229. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Annison Style over substance?: A review of the evidence base for the use of learning styles in probation JCriminology and Criminal Justice, May 1, 2006; 6(2): 239 - 257. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Israel and W. H. Chui If 'Something Works' is the Answer, What is the Question?: Supporting Pluralist Evaluation in Community Corrections in the United Kingdom European Journal of Criminology, April 1, 2006; 3(2): 181 - 200. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Merrington and S. Stanley Some thoughts on recent research on pathfinder programmes in the Probation Service Probation Journal, September 1, 2005; 52(3): 289 - 292. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. McCulloch Probation, social context and desistance: Retracing the relationship Probation Journal, March 1, 2005; 52(1): 8 - 22. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Raynor The Probation Service 'Pathfinders': Finding the path and losing the way? JCriminology and Criminal Justice, August 1, 2004; 4(3): 309 - 325. [Abstract] [PDF]