Feminist Probation Practice

Abstract

Until more relevant provision becomes available, traditional one-to-one supervision through the probation order is likely to remain the mainstay of probation practice with women. Drawing upon their recent survey of practitioner and consumer views and other writings Lisa Wright, a probation officer in Hereford and Worcester, and Hazel Kemshall, Lecturer in Social Work at Birmingham University, argue that if the Probation Service is to be a positive resource for women, supervision needs to take account of the differences in women's offending and women's lives. The majority of the women probationers surveyed considered that they had received a worthwhile service but those who had engaged in woman-centred supervision valued probation most highly. The authors offer proposals towards the 'synergetic' integration of feminine values into gender-conscious service.