ABSTRACT
In 2004 I was funded by the Home Office to adapt an existing individual intervention, the (Priestley) One to One programme (2001) (hereafter called OTO), for use with what were then termed ‘racially motivated offenders’. From what I knew about relevant research, I felt strongly that the motivational and empowering style of OTO could benefit this type of offender and reduce the risk of creating more victims. The political context was, of course, the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry (Macpherson, 1999) and the advent of legislation against racially aggravated offences. Closer to home, the introduction of evidence-based practice with offenders was in full swing, stirring up mixed views throughout the Probation Service. Some practitioners welcomed a more structured and prescriptive form of rehabilitation, whereas others were doubtful and wary, fearing that scope for professional creativity and judgement was being curtailed.
