Probation Service Research Articles

‘A lack of cultural understanding and sometimes interest’: Towards half a century of anti-racist policy, practice and strategy within probation

In 2021, HM Inspectorate of Probation published a long awaited and highly critical report – Race equality in probation: the experience of black, Asian and minority ethnic probation service users and staff. The inspection upon which it was based was conducted in the Autumn of 2020 and was therefore set against the background of the death of George Floyd in the United States, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement worldwide. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement laid down a challenge on many levels, stating that black, Asian and minority ethnic people must be accepted and respected as equal citizens and nowhere is this more urgently needed than within the operation of the criminal justice system. However, its follow up report (HM Inspectorate of Probation 2023) reported being disappointed in the lack of progress made by the Probation Service in addressing the issues raised in its earlier report. The article seeks to move beyond the conclusions and recommendations of the Inspection report using the lens of Critical Race Theory to engage in a discussion of systemic racism in society. To do this we have used three levels of analysis – macro, meso and micro – to situate contemporary probation within the wider structures of a post-colonial society.

Aspects of Personnel Management of the Probation Service in Albania: Under the Perspective of the Tokyo Rules

The Probation Service is a crucial component of state organization and operation, as this institution\'s purpose is to oversee alternative sentencing, thereby ensuring the rehabilitation of individuals subject to such sanctions. For the successful realization of this goal—namely, the assistance in reintegration and resocialization of law offenders into the community through contemporary methods and tools of alternative punishments—the staff of the Probation Service must be qualified. This entails that the selected personnel not only possess the requisite professional training to handle supervised individuals but also continuously undergo various processes and techniques for motivation, professional development, and performance evaluation. Consequently, and due to the scant scientific research in this field in Albania and beyond, our aim is to highlight the most crucial element of such an institution—the personnel, specifically, the so-called probation service specialists (PSS).We have examined whether the management of PSS in Albania adheres to international standards, or the so-called Tokyo Rules, concerning personnel, starting from the selection process, motivation, performance evaluation, and professional development. To achieve this objective, firstly, it was determined whether the Albanian legal framework on the organization and functioning of the Probation Service specifies these international standards, or the Tokyo Rules, regarding personnel. Secondly, it was verified whether these international standards on personnel are applied in the management practices of PSS in Albania. Thirdly, it was ascertained that managing PSS according to international standards guarantees the effective execution of alternative sentences. In this manner, we have demonstrated the role and impact that well-managed personnel have on achieving the purpose and mission of the Probation Service, namely, the rehabilitation and reintegration of the supervised individual.This study, from the perspective of the Tokyo Rules, has first revealed that the legal framework in Albania for managing the personnel of the Probation Service adheres to international standards, or the so-called Tokyo Rules; secondly, that the management in practice of PSS does not occur according to this legal framework and international standards. Furthermore, it has been shown that the management in practice of PSS not according to international standards has not ensured the effective execution of alternative sentences. Thus, we have identified the direct impact that well-managed personnel have on realizing the goal and mission of the Probation Service, i.e., the supervision of alternative sentences and the rehabilitation/reintegration of the supervised person.

Resuscitation with pre-hospital blood products in adults with trauma-related haemorrhagic shock: the RePHILL RCT

Background The treatment of traumatic haemorrhagic shock has been transformed through better haemorrhage control, use of tranexamic acid and use of blood products. The improved survival seen from these strategies has stimulated an interest in pre-hospital transfusion. Objectives To determine if the clinical effectiveness of resuscitation with red blood cells and lyophilised plasma was superior to 0.9% saline for improving tissue perfusion and reducing mortality in adults with haemorrhagic shock following major trauma. Design A multi-centre, allocation concealed, open-label, parallel group, randomised controlled trial (with internal pilot). Setting The trial was conducted in four civilian pre-hospital critical care services who operated within the National Health Service (NHS) England Major Trauma Networks. Participants Adults (aged ≥16 years) who had sustained traumatic injuries, were attended by a pre-hospital emergency medical team and were hypotensive (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or absence of radial pulse) as a consequence of traumatic haemorrhage were eligible for inclusion. The exclusion criteria were known or apparently <16 years, blood administered on scene prior to arrival of the RePHILL team, traumatic cardiac arrest where (1) the arrest occurred prior to arrival of the team and/or (2) the primary cause is not hypovolaemia, refusal of blood product administration, known Jehovah’s Witness, pregnancy, isolated head injury without evidence of external haemorrhage, prisoners in the custody of HM Prison and Probation Service. Interventions Participants were randomised to receive up to either two units each of red blood cells and lyophilised plasma or up to 1 L 0.9% saline. Treatment was administered through the intravenous or intraosseous route. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was a composite of episode mortality and/or impaired lactate clearance. The secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome. Results From 6 December 2016 to 2 January 2021, pre-hospital medical teams randomised 432 participants to red blood cell/lyophilised plasma (n = 209) or 0.9% saline (n = 223) out of a target sample size of 490. Most participants were white (62%), males (82%), median age 38 (interquartile range 26 to 58), involved in a road traffic collision (62%) with severe injuries (median injury severity score 36, interquartile range 25 to 50). Prior to randomisation participants had received on average 430 ml crystalloid fluids and tranexamic acid (90%). The primary outcome occurred in 128/199 (64.3%) of participants randomised to red blood cell/lyophilised plasma and 136/210 (64.8%) randomised to 0.9% saline [adjusted risk difference –0.025% (95% confidence interval –9.0% to 9.0%), p = 0.996]. The event rates for the individual components of the primary outcome, episode mortality and lactate clearance were not statistically different between groups [adjusted average differences −3% (−12% to 7%); p = 0.57 and −5% (−14% to 5%), p = 0.33, respectively]. Limitations Recruitment stopped prematurely due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future work Identify the characteristics of patients who may benefit from pre-hospital blood products and whether alternative transfusion regimens are superior to standard care. Conclusions The trial did not demonstrate that pre-hospital red blood cell/lyophilised plasma resuscitation was superior to 0.9% saline for trauma-related haemorrhagic shock. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN62326938. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (NIHR award ref: 14/152/14) and is published in full in Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 11, No. 2. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Symbolism in the Queen of Lepa as the Regatta Lepa Festival of Bajau Semporna Co<!-- ============== --> <journal_article publication_type='full_text'> <titles> <title>Study of the Effectiveness of Drama Therapy in Enhancing Communication Skills of Institutionalized Children

This study investigates the effectiveness of drama therapy in enhancing communication skills among institutionalized children in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. In the global context, drama therapy is recognized as a therapeutic tool for mental well-being. However, the application of drama therapy as a therapeutic tool in Sri Lanka is still underexplored. Institutionalized children who are exposed to trauma often show poor communication abilities. This study provides valuable insight to address this critical gap in both research and application within this context. The study utilized Qualitative methods and data was gathered through observations, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. The study sample consisted of 80 female children aged 12-16, in state-run children’s homes under the Department of Probation and Childcare Service in Southern Provinces. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes: Verbal Communication Challenges, Non-Verbal Communication Challenges, Active Listening, and Engagement. Under these key themes, sub-themes were identified as Articulating, Clarity in Expressing Ideas, Body Language, and Confidence in Presentation. The results revealed a significant improvement in communication skills, including expressiveness, engagement, and social interaction. It aligns with previous research on the effectiveness of drama therapy. The study suggested integrating tailored drama therapy interventions into the child welfare framework in Sri Lanka. Incorporating drama therapy into regular therapeutic programs, and training staff to implement therapeutic intervention effectively would support the reintegration of institutionalized children into society by improving their communication skills and overall emotional well-being.

Challenges of the probation counselors in supervising criminally convicted persons working abroad

This article analyzes the challenges faced by the probation service in Romania in the context in which many people under the supervision of the probation service leave the country, mostly for the purpose of working, and thus a series of problems arise in the implementation of the measures and the obligations imposed by the courts on convicted persons. The article analyzes from a theoretical point of view the issue of Romanian migration but also mentions some aspects regarding the process of supervision of criminally convicted persons and the research part analyzes the results of a sociological survey based on a questionnaire carried out among probation counselors and aims to establish the main problems and the identification of solutions intended to support probation counselors in the process of supervising and assisting people who move for profit outside the country.

Gender in a ‘caring’ profession: The demographic and cultural dynamics of the feminisation of the probation service in England and Wales

The number of women working in occupations that lay claim to professional status has increased markedly in recent decades, but the speed and extent of the ‘feminisation’ of the probation service in England and Wales render it unique. Such change has occurred against the backdrop of attempts to present the service in more ‘masculine’ terms, to increase punitiveness while maximising its efficiency. This article seeks to move explanations for feminisation beyond gender stereotypes about care work. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 38 members of staff from across the probation estate, and with particular regard to the unification of services, it explores the demographic and cultural dynamics of feminisation. The article argues that the sustained (and ongoing) devaluation of probation's professional project, pay and working conditions have impacted retention and recruitment in such a way that has filtered into the gender composition of the service.

Whose confidence? Regional leaders’ perspectives on building confidence in a reconfigured probation service

The idea that the institutions of criminal justice should command the confidence of the public and other stakeholders is a taken for granted ‘good’, but one which has rarely been considered from the perspectives of operational leaders within those institutions. We also know little about what happens at times of crisis, when claims are made about the erosion of confidence and leaders are charged with rebuilding it. In this article, we seek to engage critically with the idea of confidence in one criminal justice institution – the Probation Service in England & Wales – at just such a time. Drawing on original empirical research with the 12 leaders of the recently unified service, this article focuses on the question of whose confidence matters and considers some of the challenges associated with confidence-building work from the perspectives of these leaders. Our research revealed that the stakeholder groups whose confidence most concerned them were sentencers and other partner agencies; government ministers; and their own staff within the unified service. We introduce the idea of ‘domains of confidence’ to highlight the importance of understanding perspectives on confidence (and efforts to strengthen or rebuild it) in a relational space in which the particular positionality of actors in the criminal justice field must be understood.

The police as formal agents of change: Assisting desistance in individuals convicted of sexual offences

Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary public health approaches are necessary to prevent sexual re-offending. However, criminal justice solutions continue to dominate and the arrangement in England and Wales is no exception. The introduction of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in 2003 brought together the work of the police, prison and probation services in order to manage violent and sexual offenders. This paper focuses specifically on the work of the specialist police officers who are tasked under MAPPA with the Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) and whether or not they can assist desistance in those who have been convicted of a sexual offence. We argue that the risk-based, highly politicized model of public protection that MOSOVO staff operate within creates tensions more likely to hinder than facilitate desistance. As indicated by findings in an independent review of the police’s management of registered sex offenders (2023), successful desistance journeys are found in people who are supported by formal agents who actively promote hope and optimism and convey a belief that the person attempting desistance can change. In conclusion, we recommend that MOSOVO staff be willing and resourced to help individuals with sexual convictions develop a non-offending lifestyle and identity and support them in achieving this goal, which requires the provision ofcomprehensive support beyond risk management.

Met and unmet prison-based treatment needs for people who are incarcerated with a history of substance use disorder: A nationwide cohort study

BackgroundSubstance use disorders (SUD) are highly prevalent among incarcerated people. However, in some prisons, only a small percentage of those who need treatment receive it. The aims of this study were to examine coverage of treatment for SUD in Danish prisons and assess whether treatment differed by substance class. Further, we examined factors associated with receiving treatment for SUD, and types of services received. Data and methodsWe linked multiple Danish register data using unique personal identification numbers. This study retrospectively analysed data for 49,330 individuals (aged 18–90) incarcerated in Danish prisons between 2008 and 2018. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to predict enrolment in treatment for SUD in prison. ResultsOf incarcerated people with a history of SUD, 34.6 % received treatment care during incarceration. We observed only minor variations in terms of substance classes concerning the type of treatment. Those who were women, immigrants, had higher education, or were married were less likely to receive treatment. ConclusionsImproving access and increasing treatment coverage in the Danish Prison and Probation Services is crucial to reduce the burden of SUD in incarcerated populations.

The significance of hope theory for people released from prison: new perspectives for the probation service

The significance of hope theory for people released from prison: new perspectives for the probation service

Leading practices of development of probation service

Relevance. Criminal punishment is a legal consequence of the committed crime. The probation institute exists as an alternative to imprisonment and is aimed at the rehabilitation and correction of offenders, the prevention of crimes, and the provision of social assistance to convicts.Purpose. The purpose of the study is to identify the main directions in world practice that exist in the field of re-education of convicts and the prevention of relapse in the future. The tasks of the study should include the study of the features of the organizational and legal activities of the probation service and their employees, the practice of preventing such crimes in different countries, as well as familiarization with the main means of overcoming such problems in the process of law enforcement.Methodology. The main methods of scientific research were analysis and synthesis, with the help of which different methods and approaches were identified in resolving the issue of reforming convicts and analysing new approaches to convicted persons who committed various crimes and belong to different segments of the population.Results. As a result of the study, an analysis was made of international practice regarding the rehabilitation and correction of people who are serving a suspended sentence, as well as the correctional system, in particular, penitentiary probation in different countries. Familiarization with various methods, tools, rehabilitation programs, experiments in the field of corrective justice was carried out. Based on the fundamental documents that regulate the processes of parole, the opinions of legal scholars concluded that the humanization of criminal processes has a positive result not only for those convicted of crimes, but also for the welfare of society as a whole. A comparison was made between the use of imprisonment and parole. An analysis of the criteria for the correction of convicts was carried out, taking into account their age, gender, and social status.Conclusions. Based on the results of the analysis, an assessment was made of the factors that influence the degree of reduction in the social danger of a probationer, as well as the prevention of recidivism. Based on the results of this study, new approaches and methods were proposed for the introduction of probation officers into the correctional service, including non-traditional ones, such as victimization, and mediation.

A 3-year review of deaths in people under community justice supervision in Wales: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundDespite little fluctuation in the numbers of people under community justice supervision in England and Wales, the number of deaths in this population has more than doubled between 2013–14 and 2020–21, from 560 to 1343 deaths. Contributing factors and causes of mortality are somewhat unknown. The aim of this study was to understand the number and the leading causes of people dying while under community justice supervision in Wales, UK, between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2021. MethodsPublic Health Wales in collaboration with HM Prison and Probation Service in Wales were provided with identifiable data (name, date of birth, date of death, and the Probation Delivery Unit) of 306 individuals (aged ≥18 years) who had died during this time period while under community justice supervision. Following de-duplication and matching of National Health Service (NHS) numbers using the Welsh Demographic System, 266 deaths were linked to the live Office for National Statistics (ONS) Death Registry to obtain the cause of death. Deaths were grouped based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code assigned as their underlying cause of death. FindingsIn this cross-sectional study, the mortality rate overall was higher in women than in men (7·5 vs 5·6 deaths per 1000 population), despite the majority of deaths being in men, with less than 40 deaths in women. Mortality rates were nearly double in those aged 50 years and older (9·4 deaths per 1000 population) than in those aged 18–49 years (5·0 deaths per 1000 population). Drugs or alcohol were considered a primary cause of death for just under half of all deaths (n=115; 43%), with opiates being the most commonly named substance (n=63; 24%). 70 drug-related deaths involved poly-drug use. Accidental drug-related deaths were four times higher in those aged 18–49 years than in those aged 50 years and older (2·3 vs 0·6 deaths per 1000 population). Diseases of the circulatory system accounted for 13% (n=34) of all deaths and were 5 times higher in those aged 50 years and older than those aged 18–49 years (2·2 vs 0·4 deaths per 1000 population). InterpretationThis study provides valuable insight into the leading causes of death among this cohort, notably deaths associated with substance misuse in younger age groups and with circulatory disease in older age groups. The increase in substance misuse-related deaths reflects recent national UK trends. Further research is required to understand which of these deaths were preventable. FundingNone.

‘Challenging’ doesn’t sum it up: Exploring probation practitioners’ experiences managing high-risk individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been, and still is, a worldwide health crisis. Despite the surge of literature on this phenomenon, little research has been conducted with the Probation Service during this time. The aim of this research was to explore Probation Practitioners’ (PPs’) experiences of the COVID-19 restrictions with a specific focus on those who access the Psychologically Informed Consultation Service (PICS). Further, to explore the experiences of key aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of the Community Offender Personality Disorder Service. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 PPs who represented a broad cross-section in terms of age and years of experience in the role. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore the experiences of PPs and revealed 5 main themes: unmet support needs, problematic working environments, an emotionally distressing time, the use of PICS, and a silver lining. These findings are discussed with implications for further research.

Анализ места и роли волонтеров в социальной работе в системе пробации

The article explores the place and role of volunteers in social work in the probation system. The author emphasizes that volunteers play an important role in improving the effectiveness of programs for the re-socialization and reintegration of probation clients. The article reveals that cooperation between professional probation workers and volunteers contributes to the optimization of resources, as well as provides better rehabilitation of offenders. In the article, the author studies the experience of countries such as Sweden and Japan. In these countries, volunteers are actively involved in providing social work and probation services. It was also revealed that the number of volunteers in Japan is ten times higher than the number of qualified workers. Volunteers provide social work services on an equal basis with professional workers. Moreover, volunteers help to change the attitude of society towards probation clients.

Improvement of the legislation of Kazakhstan on the prevention of offences by persons sentenced to restriction of liberty

Modern world trends tend to introduce standards under which there is a gradual departure from imprisonment as the main type of criminal punishment of convicts. Following the norms of the current legislation of Kazakhstan, the functions of mon- itoring such persons are carried out by the probation service. It implements a wide range of powers to supervise the registered contingent and interacts in this area with many government agencies and institutions. The article examines the issues of or- ganizing effective preventive work in Kazakhstan with persons sentenced to re- striction of liberty and other measures of criminal punishment not related to deprivation of liberty. The methods used in the work are: analysis of legislative and ap- plied aspects of the activities of state bodies and institutions executing criminal pen- alties, system-structural (scientific knowledge of intra-industry relations), compara- tive analysis (identification of continuity and specificity of various approaches to the formation of an optimal model of interaction between the subjects of preventive ac- tivities), logical method and method of transition from general concepts to private ones. It was found out that the role of the probation service in preventing new of- fences on the part of convicts is great since in recent years their number has been constantly growing, which indicates insufficient preventive work carried out by in- terested state bodies. One of the reasons for this situation is the imperfection of the legal framework governing their activities. The analysis of the current legislation showed the absence of norms in it that create a unified system for organizing pre- ventive work with the registered contingent for all bodies. With this in mind, pro- posals are being made to improve the norms of the Law of Kazakhstan "On Proba- tion".

Making Good?: A Study of How Senior Penal Policy Makers Narrate Policy Reversal

Abstract This paper provides insights into the predominant styles of political reasoning in England and Wales that inform penal policy reform. It does so in relation to a particular development that constitutes a dramatic, perhaps even unique, wholesale reversal of a previously introduced market-based criminal justice delivery model. This is the ‘unification’ of probation services in England and Wales, which unwound the consequential privatization reforms introduced less than a decade earlier. This paper draws on in-depth interviews with senior policy makers to present a narrative reconstruction of the unification of probation services in England and Wales. Analogies with desistance literature are drawn upon in order to encapsulate the tensions posed for policy makers as they sought to enact this penal policy reform.

New system responses to juvenile crime

AbstractIn the Nordic countries, social work and child welfare interventions have traditionally played a central role in preventing children’s involvement in future crime. Hence, child welfare authorities, rather than the criminal justice system, have handled cases with children involved in crime. However, in 2019, Denmark enacted a new policy reform that constitutes a radical break with this long-standing tradition of welfarism. The policy reform introduced court-like proceedings for children under the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Cases concerning juveniles aged 10 to 17 who commit serious offences are now handled by Youth Crime Boards and the Youth Probation Service. In this article, we explore the complexities of these new responses to juvenile crime in Denmark. We do this by combining quantitative analyses of administrative data with qualitative interviews with case managers. We argue that the new Danish system is highly complex and targets a diverse group of children with punitive measures. With this, we hope to provide insights relevant to policy makers and practitioners implementing new juvenile crime prevention strategies.

Kriminalvården och Barnkonventionen

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service's and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Children belonging to incarcerated parents are typically a marginalised group within society who are often devoid of efficient support. This article discusses the realisation of children’s rights within the Swedish Prison and Probation Services based on the perspectives of staff members. This qualitative study has employed data collection through thematic interviews with staff at five institutions. In this article, the following four themes have been discussed: the difference in children’s rights based on a parent’s gender, the rights of a child to contact their incarcerated parent, the participation of a child within the Swedish Prison and Probation Services, and the staff's thoughts on the Prison Service's child rights perspective, current and future. The results display traditional norms continue to steer work within the Swedish Prison and Probation Services, partly creating differences in how children’s rights are realised, resulting in largely unseen parenting from fathers. There exist good examples of such realisations; however, a child’s perspective is largely influenced by staff commitment and individual interests. In implementing the CRC, respondents suggested an accompaniment of children placed in central units with their parents to provide the necessary support from educated staff. Furthermore, there is an additional desire for improved cooperation with social services.

Legacies of Change: Probation Staff Experiences of the Unification of Services in England and Wales

Abstract A discourse of professionalism has proved crucial to driving recent organizational restructurings of the probation service in England and Wales. The Coalition Government argued that bureaucratic, state provision of services had stifled probation practice—for which the introduction of market logic, via the 2014 Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) reforms, would restore professional discretion. And yet, the detrimental impact of TR on practice meant that re-professionalization was an important objective of yet more restructuring. This paper explores probation staff experiences of organizational change, particularly since services were returned to the public sector, in June 2021, through three dominant modes of workplace organization around which change has been articulated: professionalism, the market and bureaucracy. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 38 members of staff, it argues that the exercise of professionalism in probation has been, and continues to be, shaped by a legacy of organizational change that is both bureaucratic and dependent upon market(-like) mechanisms. It contends that the ongoing impact of a ‘discursive battle’ between market and bureaucratic forces has further eroded professionalism in probation.

The changing arguments for assigning non-organised volunteers as assistant supervisors in the Swedish prison and probation service

The changing arguments for assigning non-organised volunteers as assistant supervisors in the Swedish prison and probation service