ABSTRACT
This chapter examines from a sociological perspective a subject that looms large in the public imagination. Over the last twenty years or so there has been an explosion of interest in crime. Countless books and articles on crime have been published, bearing witness to a fascination with crime that is shared by specialist academics and the general public alike. The government in the UK has devoted considerable resources to the establishment of a new research unit to monitor and study crime and crime control. At the same time, new National Objectives and Standards define the priorities and activities of agencies and individuals working with offenders in the community1 (Home Office 1984, 1992 and 1995, Scottish Office 1991, Social Work Services Inspectorate 1995).
