This book explores one of the most contentious and sensitive topics in criminal justice: the release and resettlement of life-sentenced offenders. It offers a major insight into how societies respond to serious crime, why offenders are recalled and identifies important elements of successful reintegration for released offenders.

• Introduction


• Part I: Introducing Discretionary Lifers


• 1: Discretionary Life Sentences: The Legal and Political Context


• 2: Investigating Life after Life Imprisonment


• Part II: The Role of the Probation Service


• 3: After Life Imprisonment: The Role of Supervising Officers


• 4: Living on Life Licence: Lifers' Perceptions of Supervision


• Part III: Desistance and Persistence


• 5: Living a Life More Ordinary: Lifers' Narratives of Change


• 6: Roadblocks to Resettlement: The Significance of Recall Conclusions


• 7: Conclusion

Dr Catherine Appleton is Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the School of Law, University of Leeds. She was awarded a DPhil in Law from Oxford University in 2008, and holds a Masters degree in criminology from Cambridge University and a BA in social policy and criminology from the University of Hull. She has contributed to a number of academic journals and conferences on life imprisonment, parole and resettlement.