| Summary: | This is a qualitative data collection. This research comprised a study of the occupational cultures of probation workers which was conducted between April 2010 and November 2011. A great deal has been written about the historical and policy changes that have shaped the role of the probation worker but there has been little research on the changes to occupational cultures and the ways in which probation workers themselves view the impact of changes to their role. Similarly there is little research on the relationships between probation workers and other criminal justice agencies engaged in offender management. The research filled these gaps by identifying and exploring the characteristics of contemporary probation cultures and investigating how probation workers construct their occupational identities. The research makes a contribution not only to the study of probation work but also to the body of knowledge on the occupational cultures of criminal justice practitioners. Interviews were conducted with 60 current, former or retired probation workers. the population included a range of people including: those who joined the probation services in the 1960s and in each decade since; people who trained under different regimes; people in all grades from Probation Service Officer to Chief Officer; people with experience of working in different functions (e.g. in hostels, in prisons, community service and case work); and people with experience of working in urban and rural areas. For data storage and analysis purposes, the participants were divided into four categories, namely: 1) 10 Trainee Probation Officers (TPOs); 2) 8 former or retired probation workers (FPWs); 3) 26 current probation workers (PWs); 4) 16 chief probation officer grades (COs).
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