THE PRISON OFFICER

T he most important book for the Prison Service of the past 30 years. Phil Wheatley, Deputy Director General

P rison Officers are central to the protection of the public by their treatment of prisoners and their preparation of them for release. There are no typical prison officers, whose stressful job is widely misunderstood and frequently criticised. This valuable, timely and comprehensive book will do much to redress this deficiency, and I welcome its exposure of the demands and the opportunities that are a prison officer's daily diet

Sir David Ramsbotham, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

B y applying meticulous research to practice, by observing and listening to prison officers, their managers and prisoners, and by setting this in the context of a Service striving to modernise, Alison Liebling and David Price have produced an invaluable, richly textured work.

This is a unique analysis, which brings into sharp focus the work of the prison officer which while of critical importance, is often low in visibility. Alison Liebling and David Price go beyond the maxim that staff and prisoner relationships lie at the heart of an effective, humane Prison Service to explore what is meant by fair treatment, respect, the diligent and skilled use of discretion and the art of peacemaking.

This is a fine and thoughtful book written from a rigorous, yet appreciative, perspec

Juliet Lyon, Director Prison Reform Trust