Victoria Blinkhorn, Michael Petalas, Cathal O’Siochru, Lisa-Jo McGuirk
{"title":"‘Challenging’ doesn’t sum it up: Exploring probation practitioners’ experiences managing high-risk individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Victoria Blinkhorn, Michael Petalas, Cathal O’Siochru, Lisa-Jo McGuirk","doi":"10.1177/20662203231216662","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231216662","url":null,"abstract":"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.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"47 1","pages":"171 - 188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139257363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Herzog-Evans, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Jérôme Thomas
{"title":"Leadership in Canadian and French high security prisons expectations and perceptions","authors":"M. Herzog-Evans, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Jérôme Thomas","doi":"10.1177/20662203231212600","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231212600","url":null,"abstract":"The literature has yet to study the ideal type of prison leadership in the eyes of frontline staff. Methodologically, most studies draw upon written questionnaires distributed to governors, not to their staff and analyse their data without using management or human needs theories. This study contrasts with the extant literature inasmuch as it is comparative (France/Canada) and draws upon Appreciative Inquiry interviews. It also draws upon three strands of literature and their variables: the general theory of management, self-determination theory and legitimacy of justice-procedural justice theories. The study finds that French and Canadian prison officers have needs in areas uncovered in this literature: competence, relatedness, autonomy, general fairness, respect/dignity and care. Our samples have mixed feelings about their local hierarchy; they are very critical regarding their national hierarchies. Prison officers describe their managers as being essentially either laissez-faire or as transactional. Limitations and institutional policy implications are explored.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"67 3","pages":"189 - 217"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139267499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kamil Mamak, Joanna Dudek, Maciej Koniewski, Daniel Kwiatkowski
{"title":"Paradoxes of probation: Statutory limitation on the possibility of probation decreased the severity of judgments","authors":"Kamil Mamak, Joanna Dudek, Maciej Koniewski, Daniel Kwiatkowski","doi":"10.1177/20662203231214877","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231214877","url":null,"abstract":"Probation is a tool to decrease the severity of the legal system. In theory, more instruments of probation mean fewer people deprived of liberty. However, Poland previously faced a paradoxical situation: there was a significant crime rate drop and a growing number of suspended punishments, but—at the same time—the incarceration rate was high. Many argued that the cause of this state of affairs was the overuse of probation instruments. Almost half of suspended punishments of deprivation of liberty were ultimately enforced. The 2015 reform of the Polish criminal law aimed to decrease the statutory possibility of using probation. This study compares trial outcomes from before and after the reform. We examine files from district courts in 13 cities in Poland for two offences: drug possession and drunk driving. We conclude that the limit on probation decreases the severity of the legal system.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":" 26","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135241108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Book Review: Parole on probation: parole decision-making, public opinion and public confidence","authors":"Albert Pedrosa","doi":"10.1177/20662203231200412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231200412","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"121 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135980437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Book Review: Punishment","authors":"Fergus McNeill","doi":"10.1177/20662203231199577","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231199577","url":null,"abstract":"Punishment is a topic of increasing importance for citizens and policymakers. Why should we punish criminals? Is the death penalty ever justified? Thom Brooks aims to address such questions in this critical introduction to the philosophy of punishment. Examining case studies including capital punishment, juvenile offending, and domestic abuse in detail, this is an accessible and engaging summary of the key theories of punishment, finds Hamish Clift.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135980762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sylvia Koffeld-Hamidane, Ellen Andvig, B. Karlsson, Thomas Ugelvik
{"title":"Spotlighting the probation meeting – Lived experiences of desistance-supporting interaction following imprisonment","authors":"Sylvia Koffeld-Hamidane, Ellen Andvig, B. Karlsson, Thomas Ugelvik","doi":"10.1177/20662203231199397","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231199397","url":null,"abstract":"Probation staff in Norway are responsible for implementing the continuation of sentences following imprisonment, such as in drug rehabilitation institutions, electronic monitoring, home detention, and early release on parole. The Norwegian Correctional Service aims to support positive change and provide training in change-focused dialogue. However, little is known about the content of meetings between formerly imprisoned persons and probation staff following imprisonment. Our analysis is based on 19 interviews conducted within the first year after release or transition from prison to the community and highlights the participants’ lived experiences of these meetings. We show their perceptions of the value of this dialogue, especially as it delves into the circumstances contributing to the offence, how the offence affects their self-concept and challenging barriers to approaching society. This interaction often developed within sustained relationships. Despite this, some were disappointed with a discrepancy between their longing for help and their experience of control practices. We elaborate on how the interaction facilitates and frustrates desistance processes during resettlement.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41257108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing evidence based practice skills in youth justice","authors":"Christopher J. Trotter, P. Evans","doi":"10.1177/20662203231185088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231185088","url":null,"abstract":"A number of studies have found that when probation officers, and others who supervise young people and adults on community based orders, have good intervention skills their clients are more likely to be engaged in supervision and to have low recidivism rates. The skills include, role clarification, pro-social modelling, problem solving, cognitive and relationship skills. Little research has been done, however, on the development of these skills across whole organisations. This study aimed to examine the extent to which training and coaching of probation officers, across two state youth justice departments in Australia, improved the use of workers’ skills. Audio-tapes of worker/client interviews were provided to research staff before and after training and coaching. Analysis of the audio-tapes found a significant increase in the overall use of worker skills following the training and coaching. However, the increases in the skills applied largely to role clarification, rather than pro-social modelling, problem solving and cognitive skills.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"15 1","pages":"147 - 161"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43091185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Book Review: Challenging bias in forensic psychological assessment and testing. Theoretical and practical approaches to working with diverse populations","authors":"M. Herzog-Evans","doi":"10.1177/20662203231180007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231180007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"15 1","pages":"165 - 170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45503439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sensing probation in Canada: Notes on affect and penal aesthetics in risk assessment","authors":"Micheal P. Taylor","doi":"10.1177/20662203231170688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20662203231170688","url":null,"abstract":"Based on 6 years of probation practitioner experience in a metropolis of Canada, I provide an autoethnographic account reflecting on my fieldwork as I now commence doctoral studies. Contributing to discussions of experience in the penal atmosphere, I explore personal ethics and values, looking specifically to LSI-R software, where my experience with risk-based programming indicates a subjugation of both supervisees and supervisors. Studying penal aesthetics within the version of the software I used to assess criminogenic risk thus elucidates why evaluators tend to score their risk ratings upward rather than downward. Implications for a desistance paradigm are juxtaposed to the RNR model of offender management, where sensing visual and haptic stimuli pertains to an algorithmic governance mode limiting human connection. I conclude by reflecting on organisational values and behaviour to indicate where therapeutic alliances with criminalised people intersect criminalisation and desistance.","PeriodicalId":44523,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Probation","volume":"15 1","pages":"120 - 146"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45931997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}