Transforming women’s rehabilitation? An early assessment of gender-specific provision in three Community Rehabilitation Companies

Abstract

This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Political, academic and campaign-group commentary has critiqued the rapid implementation of the new agenda and examined its likely impact on existing services (particularly those run by the charitable sector). A growing body of research has also questioned the likely impact of the legislation on community provision for women, a field already beset with precarious funding streams. Lamenting the 'lack of strategic focus' on women, a recent review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) revealed that 'dedicated funding for women's community services has virtually disappeared, and provision is mixed and uncertain ' (2016a: 4). Drawing on 36 Permanent repository linkinterviews conducted with probation officers and practitioners (keyworkers) working for women's services, this paper validates such concerns. While the supposed subjects of an established government strategy, it is particularly regretful to report such findings in the tenth anniversary year of Baroness Corston's seminal report.

Women offenders who served community sentences: A view from Catalonia

“…Given that a significant proportion of women have witnessed abusive relationships with male subjects and given their greater need to speak out and be heard, another important evidence-based element is that a woman must be offered choice about the gender of her probation officer or other professional worker (Barnett, 2012;Clarke, 2004;Morash et al, 2014). It is also necessary to pay particular attention to whether women in the workplace or educational programme experience discriminatory comments and attitudes, insecurity and discomfort (Birkett, 2019;McIvor, 2007). No less important is that the professionals working with women receive training from a gender-responsive approach because where gender-responsive principles inform supervisors and programmes, there are better outcomes for women (Masson and Osterman, 2017;Phoenix, 2017).…”

“…In other countries, it has been shown that although at first glance it often seems that placing women in mixed groups is not a problem because the level of complaints is very low or it does not exist, the reality is that harassment of women in mixed environments may be more widespread than it appears and that the levels of complaints and the levels of actual harassment are different (Birkett, 2019;McIvor, 2007;Penal Reform International, 2016).…”

“…According to the literature, another element that women offenders value very highly is being supervised by a female probation officer (Birkett, 2019;Galbraith, 2004;Worrall and Gelsthorpe, 2009). More than half of the interviewed women clearly showed a preference for female professionals.…”

Being a ‘good woman’: Stigma, relationships and desistance

“…The Transforming Rehabilitation agenda led to outsourcing (Albertson and Fox, 2019) a large proportion of probation services and coincided with wider austerity across public services (Corcoran et al, 2019). Although Transforming Rehabilitation has now taken a political U-turn with contracts ending early circumstance continues to leave Community Rehabilitation Companies relying on precariously funded women's services (Birkett, 2019). The neoliberal agenda, and an ethos focused on individualised responsibility were key features of what has been defined as policy disaster (Annison, 2019).…”

Evaluation On Probation: Developing Gender-Responsive And Jurisdictionally Appropriate Evaluation Systems For Offender Services In The British Isles

“…With the need for evaluation established and the correlation between positive CPAI scores and reduced recidivism now well evidenced in the US, the case for using the CPAI appears cut and dry. Less clear, however, is the place for the gender-neutral, Canadian CPAI in light of the uniquely British context, where there is a new statutory focus on addressing the needs of female offenders, a continuing argument that the TR agenda will have a particular, negative impact on women (Birkett, 2017;Gelsthorpe & Hedderman, 2012;Gomm, 2013), and where restructuring of probation services is currently planned for Wales. With the concept of evaluation responsivity at its core, this thesis aims to redress the balance and place context, culture and women front and centre when asking: Can the CPAI be usefully developed to address the need for evaluation in the British Isles?…”