Time After Time: Why Criminals Can’t Quit Crime

by Chris Atkins

416 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting examination of how the UK criminal justice system encourages the reoffending that it set up to prevent. Through a number of real life cases, Chris Atkins examines such topics as the probation service, mental health, the lack of suitable accommodation, the recall to prison system, and the plethora of courses set up by private companies to address reoffending.

I enjoyed Atkins’ first book, A Bit of a Stretch, and this book has the same wry style and perceptive grasp of the key issues. In fact, I think I prefer this one as the scope is much wider than just within the prison walls and this allows the author to tie together all the related issues and to give voice to the perspectives of victims and professionals as well as that of the prisoners. I also liked the final chapter which offered suggestions for improving the system - while these are quite sketchy and obviously have wider issues to be thrashed out with their implementation, it shows a positive approach and highlights the changes that are needed for the benefit of both offenders and wider society.

This was an entertaining read that also challenged the perceptions that hang around the issue of reoffending and engaged the emotions of the reader. Definitely worth reading.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely had no idea how broken our justice system is and never really fully understood how prisons and sentences focused upon proper, well-devised rehabilitation could benefit society and cut recidivism rates. This gave me a valuable insight into just how poorly our past governments have performed. I truly hope that the appointment of the Timpsons boss as the Prisons Minister helps transform the system as he is a man who knows just how valuable rehabilitation is.

This was an excellent non-fiction read. I enjoy Chris Atkin's interesting writing style and commentary. It is really interesting to get the insight of an ex-con even if it is a very middle-class white collar ex-con. I found it interesting he spent time in prison with allegedly reformed ex-fraudster, Alexander Wood. I work for a bank in Financial Crime, and Wood delivered a presentation to my department that opened our eyes on how easy it was to con people, not just the naive and vulnerable.

I'm as far from a criminal as you get and don't know anyone who has been to prison and so it's easy for people like me to characterise certain people as 'scum', never understanding how they could do the things that they do. Reading a book like this opened my eyes as to why people may go down that path even after spending time in prison.

I enjoyed this so much I've added his book about his time in prison to my reading list.

[Imogen Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
An interesting and reflective read, all people working in the criminal justice system should read to understand what people convicted and given a custodial sentence go through. The author gives a damning report of the things not running effectively and the outdated processes. It also outlines the lack of funding for support for prisoners and how this leads to high rates of reoffending.
Would have liked more stories from females but as the author stated, it is hard for him to find them as all his contacts were male prisoners.

See below notes from during the read
Heartbreaking how Josh is kept in over tarfiff on his IPP sentence and the vendetta from his probation office
Im not sure how i feel about the author trying to get into Harrys group RAR sessions and then getting Harry to record it - feels like breaching confidentiality. It makes me feel umcomfortable
How HMP Grendon is run sounds interesting and has such a lower reoffending rate than compared to other prisons

[Thomas Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good follow up to 'Bit of a Stretch' and well worth your time reading. It doesn't quite have the charm of the individuals you meet in the first book but there's still many a compelling and damning story throughout.

[Christian Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting, entertaining and easy read into the UK criminal justice system.

[Simon Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to read this since I heard the author being interviewed on BBC 5 Live and it didn’t disappoint.

I’d be interested in reading ‘A Bit of a Stretch’ too.