Dangerous offenders, indeterminate sentencing, and the rehabilitation revolution

Abstract

Dangerous offenders are arguably one of the most persistent moral panics of modern times, and it is therefore unsurprising that government agendas have had to include means by which to assess, sentence, and manage such people. Despite the need for policies focusing on dangerousness, this article argues that those introduced by New Labour have been over expansive and have caused a multitude of problems resulting in an untenable situation. In June 2010, Kenneth Clarke, the new Justice Secretary, announced plans for a ‘rehabilitation revolution’, and it is with hope that a new way forward for dealing with these offenders will now be forged.