This collection of essays focuses on the theoretical frameworks that informed the work of the Centre for Contemporary Culture Studies at the University of Birmingham, the methodologies and practices that the Centre developed for conducting academic research and examples of the 'grounded studies' carried out.

Criminal Justice, Mental Health and the Politics of Risk addresses the important issues which lie at the forefront of decision making and policy in criminal justice and health care. The book brings together several perpectives from a number of distinguished academic lawyers, criminologists, psychologists and psychiatrists. It is multi-disciplinary in its approach and is jointly edited by a lawyer, a criminologist and a psychologist - all of whom have expertise and experience in this field.

The book is written in the light of the current emphasis on risk assessment and...