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Abstract

Allan Weaver's autobiographical account and the corresponding analysis by Beth Weaver, is an enlightening personal account and analysis of an ex-offender and ex-prisoner turned Scottish criminal justice social worker, and an example of the value that professionals with offending and penal experiences can bring. There is much to learn from drawing on the offender/ex-offender experience to understand desistance, and this will hopefully become a key component in formulating future probation and rehabilitation policies, strategies and training and development. The unique, and sometimes hidden, journeys of qualified probation and rehabilitation professionals with similar backgrounds should be valued in developing successful supervisory/rehabilitative practices.

Keywords

desistance mentoring offenders prison probation probation practice rehabilitation

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Acknowledging desistance

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