Probation Journal

Prisoners and Probation Officers have a deeply ambivalent relationship, yet a 'relationship' is precisely what many imprisoned clients seek whilst workers often revert to bureaucratic tactics which leave consumers frustrated or unimpressed. Brian Williams, Social Work Lecturer at Sheffield University, draws on his recent research interviews with prisoners to clarify what they value from Probation contact.

Mark Leech, a prisoner at HMP Blundeston, a law graduate and Guardian feature writer, argues that the present system for seconding probation officers to work inside prisons squanders the time of valuable professionals who would serve prisoners better if relocated back in the community.

Because alcohol is so heavily implicated in offending, much probation time is spent seeking to reduce clients' use of, need for or dependence on drink, but often with disheartening lack of effect. Bob Remington and Cindy Barron of the Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, describe a coherent framework for working with problem drinkers, currently being offered to colleagues in Hampshire Probation Service.

Drawing on his recent examination of probation practice with heroin and other drug users in Shropshire, Mike Collison of the University of Keele Criminology Centre argues that present non-custodial responses to their offending pattern fail to keep them out of custody and also neglect the long-term challenge of HIV and AIDS.

Marian Liebmann of Avon Probation Service's North Bristol Team considers the advantages of art as a means of self-expression and exploration in probation practice.

David Westwood, a Superintendent in Avon and Somerset Police, examines the findings of recent research on the links between social deprivation and crime as they relate to police cautioning and considers the likely impact of HOC 59/1990 'The Cautioning of Offenders'. He concludes that ethnic monitoring, whilst necessary to ensure fairness of treatment, is unlikely to be effective in reducing racial bias in prosecution, even though greater consistency can be achieved through a justice model of cautioning.