Ex-offenders, the labour market and the new public administration

Policy makers are increasingly recognizing the importance of helping ex-off enders into employment. This article outlines the disadvantages faced by th ose with a criminal record in the labour market and evaluates several appro aches to meeting the needs of ex-offenders seeking work. It finds that, des pite recent policy developments, the changing nature of British public admi nistration is undermining the ability of practitioners to respond appropria tely to the needs of ex-offenders. The article concludes that the real conc ern of policy makers is to show that they are doing something about the soc ial context of criminal behaviour while at the same time drawing attention away from the increasingly centralized and authoritarian nature of our publ ic agencies.