The impact of the pandemic on probation: lessons for the future

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which probation services responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and to consider what this means for the future of probation. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a literature review approach. Published research about the impact of the pandemic on probation services around the world was identified. Key findings around the main ways in which probation services were affected are identified. Findings The key themes identified in the published research are the strengths and weaknesses of remote communication, the role of probation in efforts to reduce the prison population, the importance of social support and marginalisation and the impact on staff. These findings are then examined through McNeill’s (2018) argument that systems of community punishment should be parsimonious, productive and proportionate. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to synthesise international research on the impact of the pandemic on probation and thus serves as a useful starting point for future work on how probation services might learn from the pandemic.

A Qualitative Exploration of Shifts to Community Supervision Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Officers had to make these changes while continuing to balance their existing roles and responsibilities with the additional new stressors that came with the pandemic (e.g., protecting their own health and balancing family/home life). Research to date suggests COVID-19 has largely disrupted the everyday lives and routines of POs and has brought forth new challenges (Phillips, 2022). while existing literature explores the challenges of community supervision agencies and officers during the pandemic, this research has often focused largely on the impact of policy and procedural changes, specifically the use of remote supervision techniques.…”

“…Officers experienced mixed feelings and perceptions surrounding the switch to primarily remote work during the pandemic (Dominey et al, 2021). While this switch reduced time spent on travel, POs reported challenges with virtual supervision regarding increased isolation from their agency and coworkers (Phillips, 2022), decreased ability to detect and respond to violations (Martin & Zettler, 2022; Viglione et al, 2020), difficulty staying up to date on client needs and behaviors (Viglione et al, 2020), and did not feel virtual supervision alone was adequate to supervise higher-risk clients (Martin & Zettler, 2022).…”