Social Work Research impact on Developing a Model of Alternative Community Sanctions in Jordan: Implications for Criminal Policy and Social Work Practice

Abstract

Social work research encourages the production of evidence-based knowledge in order to provide further insights into how to respond to the social needs of individuals, society and policymakers. This pilot study was conducted by academics of social work based in a university social work department, on students who had violated university discipline regulations and had the potential for aggressive behaviour, seeking evidence to not only support the Ministry of Justice in reforming Jordan’s judicial system and establish community sanctions for juveniles and adults, but also developing the university’s counselling system and disciplinary regulations. This was part of an EU project in collaboration with Jordan’s Ministry of Justice. The methods used to collect the data were mainly qualitative. The research findings present evidence of the need for and effectiveness of community sanctions accompanied by anger management. The study’s findings have played a significant part in supporting the development of criminal policy and approving the integration of community sanctions in juvenile judicial law in Jordan. This research will add to the international literature an evidence to the scientific knowledge of social work research.