ABSTRACT
Introduction This chapter considers some of the powerful emotional forces that exert an effect in organisations. My contention is that the criminal justice system exists at the interface between, on the one hand, highly sensitive political and cultural forces and, on the other, the disturbed, aggressive world of prisoners, and is particularly prone to be influenced by the currents and eddies created by these conflicting forces. Since many of these forces are unconscious and most of the professional players are trained to respond to concrete situations in rapid time, the opportunity for reflective thinking of a kind that can moderate impulsive behaviour and plan a culture which is flexible and conducive to rehabilitation are limited.
