This article discusses research conducted in Canada and the UK, which considered probation officers’ views about the skills and background knowledge they felt necessary to undertake probation practice. Despite changing and very different political and structural contexts, the research finds clear agreement between the two samples on core skills rated as being most important, particularly interviewing and interpersonal communication skills.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Bonta, J. & Cormier, R. (1999) ‘Corrections Research in Canada: Impressive Progress and Promising Prospects’ , in Canadian Journal of Criminology41 (2), pp. 235–248 .
2.
Boswell, G. (1996) ‘The Essential Skills of Probation Work’, in T. May and A. Vass (eds) Working with Offenders. London: Sage .
3.
Chapman, T. & Hough, M. (1998) Evidence Based Practice. London: Home Office .
4.
Dixon, L. (2000) ‘Groupwork and the Question of Ownership’ , in Groupwork12 (1), pp. 6–25 .
5.
Gorman, K. (2001) ‘Cognitive Behaviourism and the Holy Grail’ , in Probation Journal48 (1), pp. 3–9 .
6.
Home Office (1998) What Works/Effective Practice Initiative: The Core Curriculum, Probation Circular 64/1999. London: Home Office Probation Unit .
7.
Ledger, J. (2001) ‘The National Probation Service: Dancing to its Own Tune’ , in Probation Journal48 (3), pp. 211–214 .
8.
Mair, G. (2001) ‘Technology & the Future of Community Penalties’, in A. Bottoms, L. Gelsthorpe and S. Rex (eds) Community Penalties: Change and Challenges. Cullompton: Willan .
9.
McGuire, J. (ed.) (1995) What Works: Reducing Reoffending: Guideline from Research and Practice. Chichester: J. Wiley & Sons .
10.
McNeill, F. (2000a) ‘Measuring Effectiveness: Linking Policy, Research and Practice’ , in Probation Journal47 (1), pp. 4–11 .
11.
McNeill, F. (2000b) ‘Defining Effective Probation: Frontline Perspectives’ , in Howard Journal of Criminal Justice39 (4), pp. 382–397 .
12.
Oldfield, M. (2002) ‘What Works and the Conjunctural Politics of Probation: Effectiveness, Managerialism and Neo-liberalism’ , in British Journal of Community Justice1 (1), pp. 79–88 .
13.
Stenning, P. (1999) ‘Criminal Justice Research and Policy in Canada: Implications of Public Service Reform’ , in Canadian Journal of Criminology41 (2), pp. 179–191 .
14.
Trotter, C. (2000) ‘Social Work Education, Pro-Social Orientation and Effective Probation Practice’ , in Probation Journal47 (4), pp. 256–261 .
