RT Article
T1 A necessary but painful journey: Experiences of unification in a probation service region
JF Probation journal
VO 70
IS 4
SP 331
OP 349
A1 Millings, Matthew
A2 Burke, Lol
A2 Annison, Harry 1985-
A2 Carr, Nicola
A2 Robinson, Gwen
A2 Surridge, Eleanor
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1874810087
AB In this article, we present some initial findings from the first year of a longitudinal study of the experiences of unification by staff in one Probation Service region. Their reaction to unification is explored as well as their hopes and fears regarding the newly unified service. Despite working in what was often presented as an unsettled and fractured environment marked by on-going staff shortages – whilst at the same time having to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – amongst most participants there remained a high level of loyalty to the probation profession (or the idea of probation). However, while many expressed optimism regarding the longer-term prospects for the unified organisation, this was also overlaid with concerns about how unification would play out in the short to medium term. Their enduring sense of commitment and loyalty to their role was also being tested by what some saw as overbearing pressure to manage risk, coupled with the fear of being exposed if people whom they supervised committed a Serious Further Offence.
K1 staff experiences
K1 Organisational change
K1 probation unification
K1 public sector insourcing
K1 Transforming Rehabilitation
DO 10.1177/02645505231182822