A qualitative examination of attachment-based concepts in probation supervision

Abstract

Attachment theory is familiar to probation workers, with its broad messages that early care can leave a lasting legacy, and that patterns of relating can be repeated throughout the lifespan. Up close however, attachment theory is complex, and research findings sometimes vague or contested. This empirical research examined the use of four key attachment-based concepts in generic probation practice over a period of six months. The concept of the probation officer as a potential secure base was a useful one, as was the idea that service users' early attachment history could help to understand relationships and offending. Other concepts (the reflective function and attachment style) were less useful.

If you want to change the world you have to start with yourself: The impact of staff reflective practice within the Offender Personality Disorder pathway

“…It is possible that some participants held the view that reflective practice sessions should be perceived as a helpful and important resource for staff well-being, regardless of the direct impact on work with the offender. This may support Ansbro’s (2019) findings that over theorising service user’s presentation and approaches to working with them was not always necessary or relevant. Rather it is the core principles of a therapeutic rapport, that is, empathy and maintaining appropriate boundaries that are the most important factors in supporting the development of effective working relationships (Ansbro, 2019).…”

“…This may support Ansbro’s (2019) findings that over theorising service user’s presentation and approaches to working with them was not always necessary or relevant. Rather it is the core principles of a therapeutic rapport, that is, empathy and maintaining appropriate boundaries that are the most important factors in supporting the development of effective working relationships (Ansbro, 2019). Reflective practice may support staff to maintain empathy and boundaries within their working relationships with service users and it is this that supports the development of trusting therapeutic relationships indirectly, within which lasting changes can be achieved.…”

‘We've all got a big story’: Experiences of a Trauma‐Informed Intervention in Prison

“…When physical, emotional, and psychological needs are neglected, or these are intentionally undermined by relational abuse, survivors of abuse and trauma can struggle to recognise and name their own emotions, to understand them, and to know how to regulate them safely (Craissati, Joseph and Skett 2015). They may also find it difficult to understand others’ mental states and displace their own feelings onto others, particularly those in authority (Ansbro 2019). Hostility, defiance, aggression, coercion and violence are common responses to these confused emotional states which may also manifest in self‐harm and suicidality (Courtois and Ford 2016).…”

Applying the Dynamic-Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation in criminal justice interventions

“…I write this article being highly cognisant of Maria Ansbro’s crucial and widely referenced 2008 article in this journal about the applications of attachment theory in probation work (Ansbro, 2008), and her recent qualitative research also published in this journal (Ansbro, 2019). I, like many others, have been inspired by these articles and found them very useful as reference points.…”

“…To some degree, this article is intended to build on Ansbro’s articles and the important findings regarding the role of the probation officer as a transitional attachment figure and the relevance of the person’s history in understanding the roots and development of offending behaviour. This article, with its focus on the development of attachment strategies, may also help to address one of the challenges highlighted by Ansbro, that is, that some workers she surveyed found it difficult to understand and hold on to the different attachment patterns and their definitions (Ansbro, 2019). I hope to clarify some of this perceived complexity and summarise what I think of as a common sense model of attachment theory.…”