Home      Login

Abstract: 

In this issue are three articles that support the mission of the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) by: exploring issues and identifying challenges to community corrections internationally; reviewing perspectives on a particular marginalized population in the penal system; and discussing the importance of relationship in working with offenders. This year marks the 50th anniversary of ICCA, and these three themes—an international focus, dealing with marginalized populations, and developing empathic and caring relationships with clients—were evident in ICCA’s founding as the International Halfway House Association in 1964. R.E. Brown, an independent criminal justice consultant working internationally, contributes an informative article based on his reflections about issues and events in 2013 in community corrections internationally and identifies challenges in 2014 for the field. Brown lists these challenges as: resources, research, developing public support, expanding rehabilitative programs, and developing international criminal justice support. Christine Hurst, a research and policy analyst with the Office of the Correctional Investigator in Canada, draws our attention to the plight of First Nations individuals caught up in the Canadian Penal System and makes recommendations to the Canadian Government to encourage full implementation of measures to address the issues identified by the Correctional Investigator’s report. Randy Shively, from Alvis House in Columbus, Ohio, and Morry Ulrich, from the St. Leonard’s Society of Toronto, present a very useful article drawing our attention to the importance of developing a therapeutic alliance with offenders as a contributing factor in their successful reentry to the community. This is a strong statement on the role and value of line staff in working with offenders. Our book review editor has assembled interesting and instructive reviews of some recent books on current topics such as destruction of the mental illness treatment system, criminal justice in England and Wales, and key readings in probation and penal practice.

Keywords: Desistance from crime; international community corrections; Aboriginal incarceration in Canada; herapeutic alliance;

Affiliations:  1: Journal Editor.