ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the attempt, going back for many decades, to manage people in prison in a way which helps them to prepare for crime-free living on release. It both outlines common problems encountered in achieving this and reviews examples of positive offender management practice in prisons from Europe (including Britain) and from advocates of effective through-care, resettlement, and re-entry in the US and elsewhere. Effective through-care practice depends on appropriate relationships with staff, continuity of contact, planning and management, the maintenance and development of appropriate contacts with the outside world, and effective early linking with the people and organizations that will be responsible for support and guidance on release. Some examples of evaluative research and recent inspection findings are reviewed to assess how far the principles of good through-care are applied in practice. Identified obstacles include overcrowding, ‘silo’ thinking, and staff shortages; however, opportunities also exist for the development of improved practice.
