A fork in the road: Probation unification in England and Wales two years on

This article presents findings from a major longitudinal research project of probation in England and Wales, arguing that the process of its ‘unification’ (re-nationalisation) continues to be a painful process whose end state remains elusive. Having previously articulated how practitioners experienc...

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Autores principales: Millings, Matthew (Autor) ; Burke, Lol (Autor) ; Annison, Harry 1985- (Autor) ; Carr, Nicola (Autor) ; Robinson, Gwen (Autor) ; Surridge, Eleanor (Autor)
Tipo de documento: Electrónico Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2025
En: Probation journal
Año: 2025, Volumen: 72, Número: 3, Páginas: 256-273
Acceso en línea: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Sumario:This article presents findings from a major longitudinal research project of probation in England and Wales, arguing that the process of its ‘unification’ (re-nationalisation) continues to be a painful process whose end state remains elusive. Having previously articulated how practitioners experienced unification as ‘painful but necessary’, here, using the imagery of a journey, we argue that the speed and direction of travel have encountered a more perilous trajectory than expected as high workloads and staffing challenges have persisted. Second, we argue that enduring challenges in bedding in new working practices – and building the confidence of new and existing colleagues to deliver them – have acted as ‘hazards’ that have needed careful navigation. Third, we argue that staff experience a sense of individual and collective operational vulnerability, in the face of the relentless demands placed upon them. In conclusion, we identify a series of forks in the road that prompt profound questions about the delivery of probation services now and in the future.
ISSN:1741-3079
DOI:10.1177/02645505241303755