This article explores cultural change and situated approaches to learning as a basis for understanding developments in the daily life of the probation organization. These are highlighted in the concept of ‘communities of practice’ that describes learning in the everyday activities of practitioners’ work. It is argued that the future can be changed by greater attention to context specific knowledge-in-use through practitioner research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Bernfeld, G.A., Farrington, D.P. and Leschied (2001) Offender Rehabilitation in Practice: Implementing and Evaluating Effective Programs. Chichester: Wiley .
2.
Brown, J.S., Collins, A. and Duguid, P. (1989) ‘Situated Cognition and the Culture of Learning’ , Educational Research18 (1), pp. 32-42 .
3.
Brown, J.S. and Duguid, P. (1991) ‘Organizational Learning and Communities of Practice: Toward a Unified View of Working, Learning and Innovation’ , Organization Science2 (1), pp. 40-57 .
4.
Deal, T. and Kennedy, A. (1982) Corporate Cultures: The Rites and Rituals of Corporate Life. Harmondsworth: Penguin .
5.
DiBella, A.J., Nevis, E.C. and Gould, J.M. (1996) ‘Understanding Organizational Learning Capability’ , Journal of Management Studies33 (3), pp. 361-379 .
6.
European Foundation for Quality Management (1999) The EFQM Excellence Model. Brussels: EFQM .
7.
Farrall, S. (2002) Rethinking What Works with Offenders: Probation, Social Context and Desistance from Crime. Cullompton: Willan .
8.
Garland, D. (2000) ‘The Culture of High Crime Societies: Some Preconditions of Recent “Law and Order” Policies’ , British Journal of Criminology40 (3), pp. 347-375 .
9.
Gast, L. and Taylor, P. (1998) Influence and Integrity: A Practice Handbook for Pro-Social Modelling. Birmingham: Midlands Probation Training Consortium .
10.
Gorman, K. (2001) ‘Cognitive Behaviourism and the Holy Grail: The Quest for a Means of Managing Offender Risk’ , Probation Journal48 (1), pp. 3-9 .
11.
Hedderman, C. (1998) ‘A Critical Assessment of Probation Research’, in The Use and Impact of Community Supervision. Home Office Research Bulletin 39, Special Edition, pp. 1-7.
12.
HM Government (2002) Justice for All. Cm 5563. London: HMSO .
13.
Home Office (2002) Offender Assessment System, OASys: User Manual V.2. London: Home Office .
14.
Ichniowski, C., Kochan, T.A., Levine, D. and Olson, C. (1996) ‘What Works at Work: An Overview and Assessment’ , Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society35 (3), pp. 299-333 .
15.
Kemshall, H. (2002) ‘Effective Practice in Probation: An Example of ‘Advanced Liberal’ Responsibilisation’ , Howard Journal41 (1), pp. 41-58 .
16.
Lave, J. and Wenger, E. (1991) Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. New York: Cambridge University Press .
17.
Leo, S. (2001) ‘The Management of Transferable Skills: An Investigation into Managers’ Perceptions and Practice of Transferable Skills Within The Context of Business Enterprises in South West England’. Unpublished paper, Exeter University .
18.
Lynch, R. (2002) ‘The Integration of Theory and Practice in a Vocational Degree’. Unpublished Project for LTHE 503, Plymouth University .
19.
McGuire, J. (2000) Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches: An Introduction to Theory and Research. HM Inspectorate of Probation. London: Home Office .
20.
Merrington, S. and Stanley, S. (2000) ‘Doubts About the What Works Initiative’ , Probation Journal47 (4), pp. 272-275 .
21.
National Probation Service (2000) A New Choreography: An Integrated Strategy for the National Probation Service for England and Wales. London: National Probation Service and Home Office .
22.
Nellis, M. (2002) ‘Community Justice, Time and the New National Probation Service’ , Howard Journal41 (1), pp. 59-86 .
23.
Oulton, J. (2003) ‘Involving Practitioners in Evaluation’ , Probation Journal50 (2), pp. 154-158 .
24.
Rex, S. (1999) ‘Desistance from Offending: Experiences of Probation’ , Howard Journal38 (4), pp. 366-383 .
25.
Robinson, G. (2001) ‘Power, Knowledge and “What Works” in Probation’ , Howard Journal40 (3), pp. 235-254 .
26.
Schon, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. London: Basic Books .
27.
Smith, D. (2001) ‘Probation and Training’ , British Journal of Social Work31 (4), pp. 641-642 .
28.
Thompson, N. (2000) Theory and Practice in Human Services. Buckingham: Open University Press .
29.
Vanstone, M. (2000) ‘Cognitive-Behavioural Work with Offenders in the UK: A History of Influential Endeavour’ , Howard Journal39 (2), pp. 171-183 .
30.
Wargent, M. (2002) ‘The New Governance of Probation’ , Howard Journal41 (2), pp. 182-200 .
31.
Wenger, E. (1998) Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity. New York: Cambridge University Press .
