ABSTRACT
This chapter considers a number of issues, which concern adults who are offending and are, as a result, subject to various parts of the Scottish Criminal Justice System. It discusses a historical perspective of social work in the criminal justice system and talks about some reasons for crime and the services available for working with those who have committed offences. There is a continuing need to consider the issue of poverty among young people. In a report undertaken the University of Lancaster, on behalf of the Association of Chief Probation Officers, it was shown that a sufficient income and a decent job would both be major steps towards a reduction in crime. In the early part of the 1990's the Conservative Government was attempting to clarify its social policy aims and developed a philosophical position which effected education, the health service, housing and social work.
