... commenced, which led to the now famous rhetoric, attributed to Robert Martinson, that 'nothing works' in producing an appreciative effect on reducing offenders' criminal behaviour. Chui (2003, p.58-59) states that the outcome of this statement weakened rehabilitation as a theory and devastatingly, academics and policy-makers lost faith in offender treatment. Emphasis shifted to more punitive ideals of punishment and retribution. Martinson later recanted on the findings of his initial evaluation studies, acknowledging that the review had not made use of approximately ninety percent of the research available, as it had not been evaluation based. This inference however did little in overturning the negativity which had settled upon the probation service and the nothing works opinion (Crow, 2001. p.60). Mair (2004.) states that the neat simplicity of the nothing works idea became difficult to combat and although a few commentators attempted to grapple with the meanings, nothing was sustained, except in Canada. ...

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