Compulsory persuasion: A problem for correctional social work

Abstract

Summary: Social work risks being misused as a technique for controlling undesirable behaviour, regardless of clients' expectations or choices. This approach to social work involves certain underlying assumptions about human nature which raise considerable ethical and practical difficulties. Recent trends in the probation and after care service are considered, together with some research studies of the effectiveness of social work in reducing offending behaviour. From these it is argued that social work services for offenders are more likely to be effective when the emphasis is on helping with perceived problems and difficulties rather than on crime prevention. © 1978 Oxford University Press.